Epizootics occurred among young trout in France, and the behavior and symptoms suggested infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN) virus. Specimens preserved in glycerol were sent to the U.S.A. for virological examination. Virus was isolated from four of five lots, but neutralization with antiserum against ATCC VR299 strain IPN virus was incomplete. Electron microscopy, bioassay, histopathology, and serology were used to identify the viruses. The results showed the agents to be new strains of IPN virus with distinctive antigenicity and heretofore unknown lability at 4°C and marked vulnerability to a single freezing and thawing. A method of improving stability in storage was found. Electronmicrographs, tabular and graphic data are presented.