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News Brief

Oct. 21, 2024Jefferson City, Mo. |  By: Jeremy Werner

MDC asks anglers to watch out for Sandy Flesh disases

gross looking fish with sandy flesh disease

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is urging anglers to be on the lookout for Sandy Flesh disease after it was recently found in walleye.

Though rare, the disease was previously detected in Missouri at Table Rock Lake in 2019.

Sandy Flesh disease primarily affects mature walleye, causing their muscle tissue to become tough and granular, resembling freezer-burnt meat.

There are no external signs, and the disease is only visible when the fish is cleaned and filleted. It is believed to be non-transmissible to humans, but MDC advises against eating meat from any diseased fish.

Anglers are encouraged to report potential cases to MDC fisheries biologists and dispose of infected fish properly. For more details, visit mdc.mo.gov.