DNR, DHS Issue Updated Safe Fish Consumption Guidelines

Did you know that while fish contain a healthy amount of omega-3s and are a great source of lean protein, they may also contain contaminants like PCBs, mercury and PFOS (a type of PFAS)? 

To ensure you know which fish will give you the most health benefits, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Department of Health Services (DHS) experts have worked together to update fish consumption advice for people of all ages based on the latest sampling data.  

Here are some of the most recent changes: 

• Removing of PFOS-based guidance for Black Earth Creek (Dane County) and the mercury-based guidance for Kentuck Lake (Vilas County) based on additional monitoring which showed consistently low enough levels to rescind the advisories
• New PFOS-based consumption advice for bluegill, pumpkinseed, rock bass and yellow perch in the Hat Rapids Flowage (Oneida County)  
• New PFOS-based consumption advice for all species in the Moen Chain of Lakes (Oneida County) 
• New PFOS-based consumption advice for black crappie, bluegill, brown trout, largemouth bass, northern pike, pumpkinseed and yellow perch in the La Crosse River from Angelo Pond downstream to the Neshonoc Dam, including Perch and Neshonoc lakes (Monroe and La Crosse counties) 
• Modifications to consumption advice for certain species of Lake Michigan fish

In general, anglers should follow the statewide safe-eating guidelines outlined by DNR and DHS experts. The statewide safe-eating guidelines are as follows: 

For women under 50 and children under 15

• One serving per week of bluegill, crappies, yellow perch, sunfish, rock bass, bullheads and inland trout 
• One serving per month of walleye, northern pike, bass, catfish and all other species not listed here 
• Do not eat muskellunge 

 For women over the age of 50 and men 

• Unrestricted amounts of bluegill, crappies, yellow perch, sunfish, rock bass, bullheads and inland trout 
• One serving per week of walleye, northern pike, bass, catfish and all other species  
• One serving per month of muskellunge 

A full list of exceptions to the statewide consumption guidance listed above can be found in the 2024-2026 Choose Wisely booklet. 

Want to find the most up-to-date consumption advice for a specific waterbody? Check out the DNR’s consumption query tool. 

At this time, the Choose Wisely booklet is only available online.