A-Channel News reports that dead carp are now being found in Lake Couchiching. There were also reports of dead carp near Lagoon City in Lake Simcoe. Residents and cottagers are asked to contact the MNR Hotline to report more cases of dead fish. The phone number is: 1-866-929-0994 (24hrs).

The Ontario MNR would like the following information (where possible) when reporting dead fish (source - Ontario MNR website):

• Name, address and phone number of caller
• What kind of fish (i.e., bait fish or game fish) and, the species of fish, if known (e.g., walleye, yellow perch, muskellunge, emerald shiner, etc.)
• Location (as close as possible by District, Township, waterbody)
• Condition of fish (dead, dying, decomposed)
• Recent weather or environmental conditions
• How many fish (e.g., a dozen, a hundred, a thousand, thousands, etc.)
• Are the fish showing any signs or symptoms of illness or disease (e.g., pale gills and organs; bloated abdomens; bulging eyes; hemorrhages (bleeding) on their bodies and/or organs; or, dark body color)?

Presence of dead fish could simply be the result of dramatic increase in water temperature or from a myriad of fish diseases. The Ontario MNR is specifically worried about the presence of viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS). This fish disease is not harmful to humans but it can create havoc with fish stocks. For more information on this fish disease visit the Ontario MNR website.