Fish health centers provide expertise in aquatic animal health through diagnostics, monitoring, investigations, certifications and training related to both wild and captive populations. Centers coordinate the Wild Fish Health Survey and address emerging pathogen issues through applied research and innovative management strategies. The La Crosse Fish Health Center provides services for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.

About Us

The La Crosse Fish Health Center:

Established in 1962, the La Crosse Fish Health Center serves as the region’s fish doctors. We provide fish health inspections and diagnostic services to national fish hatcheries in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Missouri. Like all animals, fish are susceptible to a variety of environmental, nutritional, and infectious diseases. If left untreated, these diseases can often lead to death. Infectious diseases, those caused by pathogens - organisms such as parasites, bacteria or viruses - are of special concern because they can be easily spread to other fish within a hatchery, to another hatchery during fish transfers, or to wild populations if infected fish are released. Through surveys, inspections, and research we help to keep fish, freshwater mussel, and amphibian populations healthy for the continuing benefit of the American people.

Man in lab holds up vile.
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What We Do

People in brown uniforms with syringes stand next to a slide where fish come through
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How We Help

  • Assist in maintaining healthy populations of fish in national fish hatchery and tribal facilities.
  • Assist state, federal and private managers in diagnosing and controlling infectious disease agents.
  • Monitor use of aquatic animal drugs and chemicals.

Our Organization

The La Crosse Fish Health Center is housed within the Midwest Fisheries Center, which also includes the La Crosse Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, Whitney Genetics Laboratory and administrative, GIS and outreach staff, as well as the Regional Watercraft Safety Coordinator.

The Midwest Fisheries Center is the region’s Fish Technology Center for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Fish Technology Centers provide leadership in science-based management of trust aquatic resources through applied research and the development of new concepts, strategies and techniques to solve problems in aquatic resource conservation. Established in 2015, the Midwest Fisheries Center’s mission is: “Working in partnership, we provide leadership in science, technology and education for conservation of aquatic ecosystems emphasizing fisheries, aquatic invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species , genetics and aquatic animal health for the benefit of the public”.

A man is fishing in a boat with three young girls. The kids are excitedly pulling a fish out of the water.
The Fish and Aquatic Conservation programs work together to deliver resilient habitats, healthy fish, connected people, and strong partnerships. From habitat restoration to aquatic invasive species prevention, captive breeding to population assessment and monitoring, our programs are driven by the...
Program
Falls Church,VA
A fish with a reddish tone body with black spots on upper part of body, this side view of a Chinook salmon shows the salmon swimming right above a gravel riverbed.
Healthy fisheries are core to the conservation work of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We are working with partners to protect and enhance the health of fish and other aquatic animals in aquaculture and in the wild.
Program
Bozeman,MT
Silver Carp Jumping
Aquatic invasive species cause tremendous harm to our environment, our economy, and our health. They can drive out and eat native plants and wildlife, spread diseases, and damage infrastructure. We work to protect our waterways and the communities that depend on them from the threat of invasive...
Program

Our Species

We work with various hatchery fish including lake sturgeon, pallid sturgeon, coaster brook trout, lake trout, cisco, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, bluegill, yellow perch and black crappie as well as various amphibian and mussel species which are sensitive to changes in the environment. Some of these are threatened or endangered species undergoing restoration efforts.

Projects and Research

Key Initiatives

  • Provide disease certifications for fish prior to transfers and/or stocking.
  • Survey wild populations of aquatic species for target and emerging pathogens to determine their distribution.
  • Conducts research on fish pathogen management and control.
A pile of recently dead freshwater mussels collected by biologists from the Clinch River at Sycamore Island, Virginia.
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Searching for Novel Pathogens in Freshwater Mussels
Unknown Cause of Mass Mortality Events in Mussels

Across the country, scenes of thousands of freshwater mussel shells scattered on the banks and bottoms of lakes and rivers haunts scientists. For the most part these mussel die-offs are unexplained and mysterious. Pollution and contaminants are a well known cause of mortalities but in the case of these die-offs there were no contaminants found....

Searching for Novel Pathogens in Freshwater Mussels

Visit Us

A brick building (Midwest Fisheries Center) with a sign that reads, "U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Fisheries Center, 555 Lester Avenue, La Crosse Fish Health Center, La Crosse Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, Whitney Genetics Laboratory, Ecological Services, Migratory Birds, Friends of the Upper Mississippi" and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service logo
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Our lobby features informational displays describing local aquatic wildlife and our scientific research and conservation efforts, a Mississippi River mural and an aquarium of local native fish. The lobby is open to the public. Our laboratories and other work areas are not generally open for tours so we encourage visitors to email or call to pre-arrange a tour. 

Latest News

A Service Veterinarian examines the health of juvenile salmon at Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery
A Rx for Conservation
The agency's Aquatic Animal Drug Approval Partnership program collects data and conducts research to aid in the Food and Drug Administration’s aquatic drug approval process. It is the only program in the United States which is dedicated to obtaining safe and effective medications to improve fish...
Biologist using tweezers to find tapeworms in fish intestines
Science and Technology
Leading Experts in Parasitology Visit La Crosse (WI) Fish Health Center
Imagine having the opportunity to work alongside the leading experts in your field. La Crosse Fish Health Center biologists got that opportunity as as they looked for parasites in suckers alongside leading experts in parasitology.
Vials in vial holder in lab
Science and Technology
Unraveling Mysteries through Collaboration
Unknown origin of bacteria is being studied by the La Crosse Fish Health Center and Whitney Genetics Lab.
a big silver colored fish
Wildlife Management
Wild Fish Health Survey - Protecting Wild Fisheries
Just like in human populations, fish diseases can emerge and spread naturally, or they can be unintentionally spread from one population of fish to another. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s fish health centers have launched a new tool to help in the fight to protect wild fisheries.
A graphic showing a red stop sign with a boat on a ramp.
Recreation
Clean, Drain, Dry
Preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species starts with all of us. By working together we can protect our aquatic resources and recreational opportunities for future generations.
A pile of mussels.
Wildlife Wonders
Flexing the Mussels of Freshwater Rivers
Beneath the surface of the water, embedded in river bottoms, hidden in estuaries, and mistaken for rocks, lurk the invisible engineers of our aquatic ecosystems. Throughout our waterways, from urban rivers to the country streams, countless freshwater mussels are cleaning the water, taking out the...
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Get Involved

Children practice archery at the Youth Outdoor Fest in La Crosse
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The Midwest Fisheries Center offers environmental education activities for community groups and schools. In addition, the center can lend fishing poles to local community groups. Each year, the center co-sponsors several events in the community. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available in several different areas.

Location and Contact Information