Fish Warts?

[West Basin]

It is a virus called Lymphocystis which infects the skin of fish, in Lake Erie mostly walleye, causing the fleshy tumors you see on the skin. Usually not harmful to the walleye, but in extreme cases it can kill the host directly, or as the result of infections of the skin after a growth is removed / torn off. Almost all walleye infected recover from the condition.

Commonly observed in cold water conditions, especially in the early spring. The virus is naturally in the water and spreads by contact with the fish (mucus) or from contact with an infected fish (spawning). Pretty common and nothing to be alarmed by. Just cook the flesh properly as usual. Don't remove the growths if you release the fish, and don't put any cleanings back in the Lake. No known treatment for the fish. Just a natural occurrence.