Effective as of June 6th 2007 thee has been a new set of emergency regulations enacted by the Department of Environmental Conservation to curb the spread of Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS). Until further changes are adopted, anglers can only use bait fish that have been taken from the same body of water that is being fished. Bait can be transfered by boat only on that body of water but bait and live fish may not be transported in a motor vehicle to another body of water.
I think it also means that you are legally not able to collect fish and transport them in your car home. The regulation does not mention crayfish or plants but so little is known about VHS that this might also be a prudent thing not to do.
VHS is a new strain of virus that has recently shown up in the Great Lakes. It is responsible for recent die-offs in the following species: muskelunge, smallmouth bass, northern pike, sheephead, shad, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegills, white bass, redhorse suckers, round goby and walleye. Walleye and perch belong tot he same family of fishes as the darters. Also if its affecting bluegills then other sunfish such as pumkinseeds may also be affected. Mortality rates seem to be highest in low water temperatures of 37 to 54 degrees so it may not affect tropicals. But, if you keep ponds your goldfish and koi may be affected in the fall or spring. Fish affected will show signs that include bulging eyes, bloating, inactive or over activity, hemorrhaging in the eyes and gills and at the base of the fins. Infected fish may also have lesions that look like those caused by other diseases.
For more info
E-mail Dr. Jill Rolland at Jill.B.Rolland@aphis.usda.gov or Dr, Gary.G.Erie@aphis.usda.gov