Great Lakes Monitoring

Fish Indicators
Contaminants in Great Lakes Sport Fish Fillets

Human Health and Sport Fish in the Open Waters of the Great Lakes

Goal: Sport fish should be safe for unlimited consumption by people.

Status: Certain species and sizes of fish in the Great Lakes are safe for limited consumption. Consumers should consult fish consumption advisories issued by the States, Tribes, and the Province of Ontario. Women of childbearing age, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children may be at greater risk from contaminants in fish and should be especially careful to follow the appropriate advisories for a given waterbody.

Trends: Contaminants significantly reduced since peaks in the 1970's and are still decreasing in most cases.

Issues: Contaminated sediments and air deposition keep contaminant levels elevated above safe levels for unlimited human consumption.

* Fish consumption advice is issued for Lake St. Clair

NOTE: Fish Consumption Advisories vary by fish species, size, and specific location: see specific advisories for full details.

Helpful Links

Great Lakes Monitoring

Fish Indicators Contaminants in Great Lakes Sport Fish Fillets

Fish Indicators
Contaminants in Great Lakes Sport Fish Fillets