June 24, 2009

Commentary
Massive carp die-off in
Colorado River moving down stream, now in Lake Havasu

By JIM MATTHEWS
Outdoor News Service

     A massive carp die-off that began in Lake Mohave in May is moving downstream, and Lake Havasu has now seen its carp population devastated by a virus specific only to these fish, according to the Arizona Game and Fish Department.
     The virus does not affect other fish, wildlife, or people, and the die-off is not related to water quality issues on the Colorado River.
     “I’d say 80 to 90 percent of the carp, for sure [have died],” said John Galbraith of Angler’s Pro Shop in Lake Havasu City. “I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Tens of thousands have croaked. It’s kind of tapering off now [in Lake Havasu]. There’s still a lot of fish dying, but we’re past the worst part of it, and it’s not affecting anything else.”
     Testing proved the carp deaths in Mohave were caused by the Koi Herpes Virus (KHV), and testing of Havasu fish next week will confirm if the same disease has spread downstream, as suspected. First identified in 1998, koi herpes has spread virtually around the world. In aquaculture, the virus can kill 100 percent of the fish in a pond or rearing facility, and mortality rates of 80 to 90 percent are common. Those that survive are believed never show signs of the virus again, but likely remain carriers of the virus the rest of their life.
     Koi herpes is spread when healthy carp come in direct contact with infected fish or fluids from infected fish. Water that has come in contact with infected carp can carry the virus, which can then enter other fish through the gills and possibly the stomach and intestines. This means the virus is likely spreading throughout the lower Colorado River system below Lake Mohave.
     Once infected, the virus acts quickly in carp, with an incubation period of just 14 days from infection to mortality if water temperatures are between 72 and 78 degrees. Below those temperatures, almost no mortality occurs, and above 86 degrees, there have been virtually no occurrences of die-offs. The disease attacks the fishes’ gills and the lesions become so pervasive it eventually causes suffocation.
     While it is unknown how the virus was introduced into Mohave, there are two likely scenarios. One is that infected fish-pond koi or carp were released into the lake. Second, goldfish, often sold as bait for catfish or striped bass, are frequently released in the lake. While goldfish are a carp variant, they are carriers of the virus, but apparently unaffected by it.
     Now that the virus is in the water system, it is highly likely it will spread throughout the lower Colorado River and aqueduct system that brings Colorado River water to Southern California, with Diamond Valley Reservoir and Lake Skinner likely to be impacted in the future, probably during summer months when surface water temperatures rise into the range when the virus can cause mortality.
     The first reports of dieoffs below Havasu were coming from the Parker Strip stretch of the Colorado River in this week, according to Diane Williams with the Lake Havasu Field office of the Bureau of Land Management, but there had been no reports yet of carp dieoffs yet in the Blythe and Palo Verde region.
     “They’re just starting to see carp dieoff in the Parker strip -- under 10 fish -- but it’s a sign,” said Williams of reports from the BLM’s two campgrounds and day use facilities in this portion of the river.
     The AGFD staff was certain that the Koi herpes virus was not a threat to public health, and biologists said it does not affect other fish or wildlife. Recent rumors of other fish species dying off in both Lake Mohave and Lake Havasu are unfounded, according to Game and Fish staff. The massive carp die-off is also not associated with water quality issues, which would have impacted all species of fish in the two lakes.
     “Just like with any living thing, fish die,” said Zen Mocarski, information and education program manager with the AGFD in Kingman, explaining why anglers might also see an occasional dead fish other than carp. “There have been other species found along the shoreline, but those numbers represent only the normal amount that would be found at any given time.”
     The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Arizona Game and Fish biologists have monitored the shoreline at Lake Havasu and have observed the same traits in dying and dead carp as those associated with the die-off at Lake Mohave: white spots along the sides of the gills and a lack of blood in the gills, indicating it’s the same virus. Further testing of Havasu carp next week will likely confirm the koi herpes virus is spreading downstream.
     The clean-up effort has been massive at both Mohave and Havasu, with city, county, state, federal, Indian reservation, and private business people all pitching in to try to keep recreational shorelines cleared of dead fish.
     Carp have increasingly become a popular gamefish in Southern California, with a growing legion of anglers who pursue these fish (for example, there have been over 450 entrants in a Bakersfield carp derby this month), but many anglers and water agencies consider them “trash” fish and have spent great amounts of money reducing carp numbers in their waters.
     Carp can also be hard on other gamefish, eating the eggs and young fry during and after the spawn.
     “Down road we’re likely to see a benefit to other fish where the carp have died off, especially those fish whose eggs are on bottom. They will do better,” said Mocarski.
     Galbraith agreed, looking forward to increased production of largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, redear, bluegill, and catfish.
     “In the long run, this is going to be great for the lake,” said Galbraith. “I see it as only helping Havasu the next two years or more.”
     Most recreationists at Havasu will just be glad when the fish quit dying so they don’t have to smell the stench and dodge the carcasses. Heather Stroup, 22, who lives in Lake Havasu City, was out riding her wave runner when the outbreak was just becoming chronic. Going through London Bridge she “freaked out” because there was “red water and dead fish everywhere.” It turns out the two weren’t related.
     You know what happened to the carp. The red water was organic dye used in filming one of the gory scenes in the horror flick “Piranha 3D,” which has been filming at Havasu.
     “I couldn’t stop laughing at myself once I found out,” said Stroup, who works at Black Meadow Landing. “They’ve been filming here for three months and all my friends are extras in that thing.”
     Hopefully the producers were able to make good use of all the dead carp.

Outdoor Briefs
California big game drawing
results are available online

     The results of the 2009 big game tag drawings are available online, allowing hunters who submitted applications for the Department of Fish and Game’s drawing to check their luck.
     Hunters must enter their name and driver’s license number (or DFG-assigned number) in order to retrieve the results at this address: https://biggame.dfg.ca.gov/biggame.
     Successful elk, antelope, and sheep tag applicants were notified last week, and premium deer tags are currently being mailed to successful applicants. Deer tag applicants who were not selected in the drawing will also be notified of their status by mail, but impatient hunters anxious to make fall hunting plans, can now check results online.
     Each year, a combined 57,000 hunters enter the drawings for elk, antelope, bighorn sheep and premium deer hunt tags. This year, DFG will distribute 14,000 premium deer tags, 259 pronghorn antelope tags, 332 elk tags, and 17 bighorn sheep tags which were selected during the annual tag lottery.
     Hunters who are not selected in the deer drawing are also eligbile for first-come, first-serve deer zone tags or tags left-over after the drawing. A list of tags still available is available at this site: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/biggame/deertagsavailable.html.
     DUCK STAMPS: Bass Pro Shops, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Willdife Service, will be hosting first-day-of-sale events for the 2009-10 Federal Duck Stamp today (Friday, June 26) at 18 of its stores nationwide this year, including the store in Rancho Cucamonga. The 2009-2010 Federal Duck Stamp features a long-tail duck and decoy painted by wildlife artist Joshua Spies of Watertown, S.D., and collectors covet first-day-of-sale stamps. The new Junior Duck Stamp, featuring a single wood duck, was created by Lily Spang, a 16-year-old from Toledo, Ohio, will also be sold this day. For more details on First Day of Sale events, go to http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps.
     RABBIT HUNTING SEASON: The first of the fall hunting seasons open next week on Wednesday, July 1, when the cottontail rabbit season opens statewide. The cottontail season actually looks better than anticipated throughout most of Southern California’s desert and foothill regions, with better than average production noted in most areas thanks to adequate winter rains and a mild spring.

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

     JULY 11 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2009 class dates are Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     JULY 11-12 DEL MAR GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Del Mar Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Del Mar Fair Grounds, Del Mar. Admission is $10. The next Del Mar gun shows will tentatively be on Oct. 3-4, and Dec. 12-13. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     JULY 16 RIVERSIDE QUAIL UNLIMITED FUND-RAISER: The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited will be hosting its annual fund-raising dinner beginning 6 p.m., Thursday, July 16, at Vince’s Real Italian Spaghetti Restaurant, 1206, W. Holt Blvd., Ontario. Cost is $25 per person. For information or reservations, contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or via e-mail at gibbent@gte.net.
     JULY 18 YOUTH SAFARI DAY: Help expose youngsters who've never had a chance to experience the outdoors by rounding up neighborhood kids, inviting single moms, and bringing your own clan to the 14th Annual Youth Outdoor Safari Day, where they can learn to fish, rock climb, shoot .22s and shotguns, kayak, make quail calls, and identify wildlife. Registration begins at 7 a.m., Saturday, July 18 at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises in Norco. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     AUGUST 15 NORCO HUNTER SAFETY CLASS: A one-day, 10-hour certified hunter safety class will be held at Mike Raahauge's Shooting Enterprises, Norco. Classes are required for all first-time California hunters before a hunting license can be purchased. Cost is $35 per person. The remaining 2009 class dates are Aug. 22, Aug. 29, Aug. 30, Sept. 12, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Nov. 7 and Dec. 12. Sign-ups are taken at all Turner's Outdoorsman stores. Contact Raahauge's at 951-735-7981.
     AUGUST 15-17 COSTA MESA GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Costa Mesa Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Orange County Fair and Event Center (Orange County Fairgrounds), Costa Mesa. Admission is $10. The next Costa Mesa gun shows will tentatively be Aug. 15-16 and Nov. 28-29 (Thanksgiving weekend). Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.
     SEPTEMBER 12-13 VENTURA GUN SHOW: The McMann’s Roadrunner Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at Seaside Park, Ventura. Admission is $9. The next Ventura gun shows will be Sept. 12-13 and Nov. 7-8. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.mcmannsroadrunner.com.
     OCTOBER 24-25 ONTARIO GUN SHOW: The Crossroads of the West Ontario Gun Show will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, at the Ontario Convention Center, Ontario. Admission is $10. The next Ontario gun show will tentatively be Oct. 24-25. Information, directions, and $1 off coupons available at www.crossroadsgunshows.com.

CALENDAR RESOURCES

     For a complete list of HUNTER SAFETY CLASSES held throughout the state, including times, dates, and locations, go to the Department of Fish and Game’s web site at this address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/huntered/classes.aspx.
     For the rules and regulations on GRUNION RUNS, along with a complete schedule and the expected times of the runs, go to this web site address: http://www.dfg.ca.gov/marine/gruschd.asp

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

     The following is a list of hunting, shooting, and fishing clubs and organizations in Southern California with contact information and regular meeting dates:
     976-TUNA ROD AND REEL CLUB: The 976-Tuna Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, Rancho Cucamonga. At the December meeting a free trip to Palmas de Cortez in Baja will be given away. Contact Phil Friedman at 310-328-8426.
     CALIFORNIA STATE VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The California State Varmint Callers Association meets 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Denny's just north of the 210 freeway at Irwindale Ave., Irwindale. Contact Steven Childs at 626-407-8826 or steve@sdchilds.com. Web site: www.csvca.com.
     CANYON OAKS SPORTSMAN’S CLUB: The Canyon Oaks Sportsman’s Club meets the first Tuesday of every month at it’s clubhouse in Lakeview Terrace-Sylmar. The club has regular trap, skeet, smallbore, big bore, handgun, and Cowboy Action shooting events. Contact Gary White at 818-998-7240, Mike Totta at 818-362-2181 or Mike Nickoloff via e-mail at idpamike@yahoo.com.
     CERRITOS ROD & GUN CLUB: The Cerritos Rod & Gun Club meets the second Wednesday of each month at Heritage Park in Cerritos. Contact Charles Sharp at 714-317-8290 or fish_90605@yahoo.com.
     CLUB FISH: Club Fish, a 20-year-old fishing club, meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse, Santa Ana. The clubhouse is located at the entrance to Riverview Gold Course. Contact Mike Cross at 949-854-5258 or m_r_cross@yahoo.com.
     DEEP CREEK FLY-FISHERS: Deep Creek Fly-Fishers meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League clubhouse in Fairmont Park, in Riverside. Go to www.deepcreekflyfishers.org to download a map to the club house. Contact Brett Browning at 909-793-8912.
     HIGH DESERT FLY-FISHERS: The High Desert Fly-Fishers holds its monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month at The Apple Valley Fire Conference Center, 19235 Yucca Loma, Apple Valley. Contact John Rose at 760-247-5966.
     HIGHLAND PARK SPORTSMEN'S CLUB: The Highland Park Sportsmen's Club meets at 8 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of each month at 2035 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles. Contact Mauro Garcia at 323-254-0763 or incareal@juno.com.
     NATIONAL VARMINT HUNTERS: The National Varmint Hunters meets 7:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Veterans of Foreign Wars club located on Grand Avenue, just west of 17th Street, Santa Ana. Contact Mark Harris at 714-655-6954 or mhitis1@yahoo.com or Terry Mathers at 714-299-9938 or coyote@jps.net.
     NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (INLAND EMPIRE CHAPTER): The Inland Empire Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at Bass Pro Shops, 7777 Victoria Gardens Lane, Rancho Cucamonga. Contact David Halbrook at 760-694-1191 or nrajrc@msn.com.
     NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at The Firing Line, 17921 Jamestown Lane, Huntington Beach. Contact Pat Ryan at 714-373-3688 or Casey Rasmussen at 714-377-5859.
     ORANCO BOWMEN: The ORANCO Bowmen meet the second Tuesday of each month at the club range, 17504 Pomona Rincon Rd., Chino (Euclid Avenue one block north of the 71 freeway). The range is open to the public on Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 909-597-7582. Web site: www.oranco.org.
     ORANGE COUNTY BASS CLUB: The Orange County Bass Club meets 7 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the Garden Grove Elk's Lodge. Contact Steve Pendergast at 949-651-8172 or prendergasts@netzero.com.
     PLUNGE CREEK COWBOYS: The Plunge Creek Cowboys, a new Cowboy Action Shooting club in the Inland Empire, has shoots the third Saturday of each month at the Inland Fish and Game range on Orange Street in East Highlands. Authentic or replica firearms and garb required. Information: www.plungecreekcowboys.com.
     PREDATOR CALLERS OF ORANGE COUNTY: The Predator Callers of Orange County meet 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at the Denny's restaurant, 7490 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach. Contact Rickey Macy via e-mail at rickmacey@juno.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (HIGH DESERT CHAPTER): The High Desert Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the Apple Valley Gun Club. Contact Cruz Garcia at 760-949-6334 or fathercruz@verizon.net.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER): The Orange County Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Izaak Walton League Clubhouse (located at the entrance to Riverview Golf Course) in Santa Ana. Contact Craig Riedel at 714-282-1194 or criedel@mflex.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (RIVERSIDE CHAPTER): The Riverside Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 7 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at Prado Olympic Shooting Park, 17501 Pomona Rincon Road, Chino (one block west of Euclid, just off the 71 freeway). Contact Ron Gibbons at 909-902-9814 or gibbent@gte.net. Web site: www.quriverside.com.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN DIEGO CHAPTER): The San Diego Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at DFG Headquarters at 4949 Viewridge Rd., San Diego. Contact David Preddy at davidpreddy@cox.net or visit www.sdqu.org.
     QUAIL UNLIMITED (SAN GABRIEL VALLEY CHAPTER): The San Gabriel Valley Chapter of Quail Unlimited meets 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Triple B Clays in El Monte. Contact Tim Bovard at 866-206-9070, ext. 6715 or sgvqu@onebox.com.
     REDONDO ROD & GUN CLUB: The Redondo Rod & Gun Club meets 8 p.m. every Thursday of every month at its own clubhouse. The club has promoted hunting, fishing, sport shooting and the outdoors since 1948. The clubhouse is located at 2023 Vanderbilt Lane, Redondo Beach. Contact 310-379-7772.
     RIVERSIDE VARMINT CALLERS: The Riverside Varmint Callers meet 7 p.m. the last Saturday of each month at Flo's Country Kitchen, Riverside. Contact Lance Cochrane at 909-919-4309 or Ray Gauthier at 951-785-4986. Web site:www.californiavarmintcallers.com/chapters.html/.
     SAN DIEGO SPORTING DOG CLUB: The San Diego Sporting Dog Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Animal Medical Center, 600 Broadway, El Cajon. Contact Steve Sarmiento at 619-659-9393 or sssarmi@sbcglobal.net.
     SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA VARMINT CALLERS ASSOCIATION: The Southern California Varmint Callers Association meets 8 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at the Denny's Restaurant at Pioneer Blvd and Imperial Highway in Norwalk. Contact Granville Crow at 310-548-6221 or crowshot1@cox.net or Skip Gildner at 562-900-9020 or mtnhigh5@excite.com.
     TEMPLE CITY SPORTSMEN: The Temple City Sportsmen meet the first Thursday of each month at the Temple City Civic Center in Temple City. Contact Jim White at 626-201-7782 or TCSPresident2006@yahoo.com.
     TURNER'S OUTDOORSMAN ROD AND REEL CLUB: The Turner's Outdoorsman Rod and Reel Club meets 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at Marie Calendar’s Restaurant, 2300 Foothill, Pasadena. Contact Richard Crowe at 626-960-9610.