An outbreak of Channel catfish virus disease (CCVD) in California in 1981 prompted the State and industry to determine the distribution of CCVD in California, and to contain and eradicate CCVD where possible.  Because CCV can be isolated only from diseased fry, the only method of determining prior infection is by the serum neutralization (SN) test. CCV is believed to be transmitted from broodfish to fry; therefore a SN survey was conducted at major broodfish farms and an intensive sampling program was conducted at a few farms with SN positive broodfish.  No CCV positive broodfish were found at 10 of 20 broodfish farms.  CCV was isolated from fry at two SN positive farms and in one case CCV was detected even though only 1.4% of the fish died.  Most groups of fish where CCV was isolated sero-converted to SN positive and the SN titers were highest in the groups with the highest mortality.  These tests showed that SN was a useful management tool in identifying broodstock possibly infected with CCV and that there is a correlation between positive SN and the presence of CCV.  However, the tests also showed the need for (1) an improved method of conducting SN tests, (2) more data on temperature effects on SN titers, and (3) information directly correlating presence of CCV with positive SN titer. Methods for the eradication of CCV in California will be discussed.