Bacteria found in rainbow trout at Lucky Lake fish farm

Rainbow trout at the Lucky Lake fish farm are being monitored after disease was detected in the population.

The Ministry of Environment first received a report of the trout being infected with weissellosis, which can be deadly to the fish species, late last year.

“We’ve been working with the fish farm and with other agencies to help control it and make a plan to go forward,” said Mark Duffy, fisheries management specialist with the ministry.

He said the disease is caused by a bacteria that affects the rainbow trout and it causes significant deaths in areas like a fish farm because the fish are penned together closely.

A management plan is being worked on to ensure the breakout doesn’t happen again.

Duffy said the farm was not closed at any point due to the outbreak. The bacteria was contained solely to the farm and there are no concerns the bacteria will infect other species or bodies of water.

“Working with other experts on weissellosis, they have found it is not transferred to other fish populations outside of rainbow trout.”

There is also no risk to human health from the outbreak.

The Ministry of Environment is doing its own testing over the next few weeks to ensure the disease is not found anywhere else in the area.