JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Due to a recent finding of Sandy Flesh disease in walleye taken from Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas, Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) biologists are asking Missouri anglers to watch for this uncommon fish disease. The most recent discovery of Sandy Flesh disease occurred 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, the proximity of this recent discovery to Missouri has prompted MDC fisheries biologists to ask Show-Me State 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 present in the upper Midwest region of the U.S.
for a number of years. It should be noted 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 appea.
