Dead fish in Lake Mac due to virus, no danger to people or pets

HOLLAND – Residents of Holland and Park Township have noticed a lot of dead fish in Lake Macatawa over the last month. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has confirmed there are more fatalities than usual; And there is a reason.

The DNR announced Friday that the fish were dying of viral hemorrhagic septicemia, a highly contagious, fatal fish disease. According to authorities, it poses no danger to people or pets that come into contact with the water.

Since mid-April, there have been reports of dead and dying fish near Lake Macatawa’s outlet channel. DNR Fisheries Division personnel attempted to collect samples “suitable for analysis” to send to the Aquatic Animal Health Lab at Michigan State University. Most are unsuitable because they have been “dead for a while,” the DNR said.