Anyone know what this is?

We have caught several bass in the last couple of weeks that have this on their skin. Any idea what it is?

I call it bass herpes, but it’s actually a bacterial infection. I heard you’re suppose to inform game and parks and dispose of the fish on land.

Yeah some sort of infection. They sometimes get it due to the stressors of spawning but that fish looks healthy otherwise. Is it just on one lake that you are seeing this? Could inform the TPWD and maybe send their biologists the pics?

We have only seen this on Sam Rayburn. Thanks for your replies.

I caught tons of fish like that on fork last fall. Can you point me to the release from TPWD that documents calling them and disposing on land? I was not aware of notifying them. Thanks.

I catch these sometimes it looks like a flesh eating virus...

COVID-20

Always thought it was just injuries from spawning.

You'll see it post spawn through early summer. It's common. Just throw it back

Looks like carpet burn to me.

Agree on this as well but could also be caused from the spawn. It's simply a break in the slime coat that has developed into a bacterial infection. A very high percentage of these will simply heal over time and aren't something to be alarmed about.

Don't throw it on the bank. I seriously doubt any where does TP and W advise an angler to throw any game fish on the bank.

I think its called KAST team for Texas. I seen a group talking about it in the past. They reported a few fish and were told to dispose of the fish that had the issues.

Here is a link to a great article about the condition on the fish in your picture. Highly doubtful TP&W would ask you to remove the fish and through it away.
https://www.wired2fish.com/biology/why-do-some-bass-have-black-splotches/

thats completely different than the picture of the fish he posted. Black spots are ok.

Any chance it's caused by pesticides to control grass? I've caught similar looking out here after they spray or pellet for aquatic grass.

I have a buddy that’s a biologist for TPWD hatchery. I asked him the same question on crappie I was catching. He said it’s a fungus and it will go away when the water warms up.