MADISON, Wis. -- It's not in local waters yet but the state Department of Natural Resources is hoping anglers take steps to keep a deadly fish virus away.

Emergency rules have been enacted for other waters in Wisconsin to stop the spread of viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS. VHS has been discovered in the Great Lakes and in an inland lake of the Winnebago chain, WISC-TV reported.

Because of the latest surprise development, DNR officials said that they hope anglers in all waters treat the virus as seriously as other invasive species.

VHS has caused massive fish kills in other states, and the fear is that it could cripple the state's $2 billion fishing industry if it spreads, WISC-TV reported.

The DNR is reminding boaters to check and clean off trailers when coming off the water, and empty live wells and bliges, as they would do to prevent the spread of zebra mussels or Eurasian water milfoil.

"Continue fishing, continue enjoying our fisheries resource. It isn't a threat to public health, but if you see an obvious fish that has bulging eyes or is bleeding or a fish kill, give us a call," said DNR spokesman Greg Matthews.

"It's definitely something that everyone who fishes local waters around here should be concerned about because it has dire consequences to the fishery," said local fishing guide Travis Richardson.

Anglers are also asked to buy bait from only registered bait dealers, not to move any live fish from one body of water to another, and to pressure wash their boat if they move between bodies of water.

If fishers do see any sort of fish kill in the local lakes, they are asked to contact the DNR at 1-800-TIP-WDNR.