The Missouri Department of Conservation says anglers should watch out for Sandy Flesh Disease

MISSOURI(KBSI) – The Missouri Department of Conservation biologists are asking fisherman to keep an eye out for an uncommon fish disease.

According to The Missouri Department of Conservation a recent discovery of Sandy Flesh Disease was found in a walleye harvested in September by spear-fishing anglers in Bull Shoals in Arkansas near the Arkansas-Missouri border. The only confirmed report of Sandy Flesh disease in Missouri was in 2019 at Table Rock Lake.

However, because of the close location of this recent discovery to Missouri has prompted MDC fisheries biologists to ask Missouri anglers to be on the lookout for this disease.

“Because of the recent case in Bull Shoals, which spans two states and has connectivity to a number of streams and other reservoirs, it makes sense to ask anglers to look for this disease in Missouri, too,” said MDC Sport Fish Ecologist Robert Weber. “Though we’re still learning more about this uncommon disease, angler reporting of potential cases of Sandy Flesh disease will keep us better informed and help track its prevalence.”

Sandy Flesh disease is a degenerative muscle disease that has been found in the upper Midwest region of the U.S. for a number of years.

The Missouri Department of Conservation says that though this disease has been found in several states, it is uncommon – where it has been found, it seems to impact only a small number of mature walleye.

It has also been found in yellow perch, but it appears to be a disease that primarily affects mature walleye.

The disease is believed to be non-transmissible to humans though MDC never recommends consumption of any meat from diseased fish or wildlife.

Specifics about the cause and mode of transmission of Sandy Flesh disease are still unknown, but the disease doesn’t appear to be transmissible to other fish species. The disease is thought to be a result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. 

There are no external signs of Sandy Flesh disease on an infected fish; it is only visible once the fish has been cleaned and filleted. The affected tissue resembles freezer-burnt meat. Characteristics of the diseased flesh include tough, granular, coarse, and yellowish-brown muscle tissue with knotted muscle fibers.

Fisherman are encouraged to report any findings related to Sandy Flesh disease to The Missouri Department of Conservation.

If you come across a fish, you believe is infected you should not dispose of the infected fish in the body of water where they were caught or in other reservoirs or streams. Infected fish should be disposed of by burying the carcass or placing the remains in trash bags for disposal through trash collection.

For more information you can visit this link https://mdc.mo.gov/fishing/fish-diseases/sandy-flesh.