A new parasite has been confirmed on rainbow trout collected from the West Fork Pigeon River in Haywood County, as well as Watauga County’s Boone Fork Creek and Watauga River. 

The parasite, gill lice, is a tiny, crustacean that attaches to a fish’s gills, impeding the fish’s ability to breathe. Most fish can tolerate a moderate infestation, but for some fish — especially those suffering from other environmental stressors — the infestation can prove fatal. Impacts to local trout populations can be devastating.

Gill lice were found in North Carolina for the first time in 2014, when they were discovered on brook trout in the Cullasaja River watershed in Macon County. The creatures confirmed this month, however, are a different species within the same genus as the one previously found in Macon. The species found in Macon County affects only brook trout, while the recently confirmed species is known to infect rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. Nantahala Lake in Clay and Macon counties is the only place in North Carolina where kokanee salmon live. 

The discovery of new gill lice infestations comes on the heels of whirling disease being confirmed on rainbow trout collected from the Watauga River near Foscoe. Whirling disease is caused by a parasite and damages the nerves and cartilage of affected species. Symptoms can lead to death by making fish more susceptible to predation and increasing the difficulty of finding food. 

To prevent the spread of invasive pests, anglers should:

• Remove any visible organic debris before transporting equipment. 
• Remove water from equipment before transport. 
• Clean and dry anything that comes into contact with water. 
• Never move fish from one body of water to another. 

www.ncwildlife.org/Fishing/WhirlingDisease/AnglerGearCare.aspx