Certified VHSV-free water bodies

The DNR has implemented VHSV surveillance zones to help regulate the movement of fish within Minnesota based on an annual surveillance program.

Fish originating from Minnesota waterbodies located outside of the Lake Superior basin will be considered VHSV-free, subject to annual VHSV surveys conducted by the DNR.

For fish originating within the Lake Superior basin (i.e., the St. Louis River, Nemadji River, Cloquet River, Lake Superior South, and Lake Superior North watersheds) or outside of Minnesota, VHSV-testing is required for each individual lot of fish to be transported.

If you export fish from Minnesota, check the testing requirements of the state to which you are exporting.

VHSV surveillance zones

The map below shows the viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus surveillance zones in Minnesota and their status. Click a zone name on the map or select a list in the drop-down to display additional information and download the listing of waterbodies in that zone.

Click to select & download a listDes Moines River| 300 waterbodiesLake Superior | 1,458 waterbodiesMinnesota River | 5,598 waterbodiesMississippi River Headwaters | 9,834 waterbodiesMississippi River South East | 743 waterbodiesMissouri River | 55 waterbodiesRainy River | 2,395 waterbodiesRed River | 4,740 waterbodiesSt. Croix River | 1,029 waterbodies

VHSV-free zones

Waterbody zone listings:
Click to select & download a listDes Moines RiverMinnesota RiverMississippi River HeadwatersMississippi River South EastMissouri RiverRainy RiverRed RiverSt. Croix River

VHSV surveillance

VHSV surveillance of wild populations of fish in Minnesota has continued for more than 10 years. Continued surveillance efforts are used to maintain a VHSV-free status for Minnesota waters.

The map below shows survey sites in Minnesota waters. No detections have been documented from 2013-2024.

VHSV risk zones

The only risk zone currently in Minnesota is the Lake Superior drainage basin (i.e., the St. Louis River, Nemadji River, Cloquet River, Lake Superior South, and Lake Superior North watersheds), which has 1,458 waterbodies.

VHSV information

Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus (VHSV) is capable of causing disease in Minnesota’s wild and cultured fish stocks. Many species of marine and freshwater fishes are susceptible to infection with VHSV and able to transmit the virus or contract severe disease.

So far, VHSV never has been detected in Minnesota waters but its presence in fish populations in Lake Superior is a continued threat to Minnesota’s fisheries. To prevent the introduction of VHSV into Minnesota waters, the DNR implemented regulations for harvesting and transporting species that are susceptible to VHSV.

Species that experience severe disease once infected can carry and transmit the virus to others can be found on the VHSV-susceptible species list.