Be careful with the catch of the day

Mila k. Marshall, Ph.D. staff editor

Tackle boxes line the boardwalk of 63rd street beach, as a trio of fishermen cast multiple lines into Lake Michigan. Sport and commercial fishing are part of Chicago’s culture and economy.

“I eat the fish I catch about once a month or so,” shared Aven Deese, an avid fisherman. Some of his favorite places include local lagoons, Cook County Forest Preserve rivers and lakes across the Midwest region.

But just how much of a bad idea is it to consume local catch? How much do we know about what fish to eat? “I’m not currently aware of any fishing advisories in the area, but it’s common knowledge that frequent consumption of fish from the area is not a good idea,” shared Deese.

A quick look at the Illinois Department of Public Health has a fish advisory map that may help you decide if that catch of the day could cost you. IDPH offers “meal advice from Illinois waters” through use of an interactive map. Currently there is a statewide methyl mercury advisory applicable to all Illinois waters.

“IDPH recommends that women of childbearing age and children limit their consumption of predatory fish (bass, Sauger, walleye, flathead catfish, gar, muskellunge, northern pike, trout, and salmon) to 1 meal per week, unless more restrictive advisories are in place.” - IDPH

Methylmercury in low levels can be toxic to adults and harm brain development in children.

There are 14 bodies of water in Cook County with advisories for 19 fish species. Lake Michigan has 11 species with consumption warnings the most of any water body in Cook County. Advisories suggest not eating Lake Trout that is 30” or longer and only consuming the fish once a month if between 22” to 30”, and once a week if less than 22”.

Not all who catch fish are the only ones consuming. Resources like “The Parents Guide to Eating Illinois Fish” provides recommendations and education to keep families safe from harmful contaminants absorbed in the tissue of fish. The guide suggests consuming smaller fish, eating fish that don’t eat other fish, avoiding fish that are fatty and learning to prepare fish properly to reduce exposure. Fish fat is where much of the toxins are stored; the guide suggests discarding all fish fat and discourages frying the fish.

Healthy waters are paramount to the health of the economy and the environment. The relationship between lead and drinking water is just one of the many unfortunate truths about how the industrial past plagues the present. Pollution damages our ability to create healthy diets and disrupts the food chain for other living organisms. To learn more about Illinois fishing advisories and the health concerns of methylmercury and PCB exposure visit www.dph.illinois.gov.

Fish consumption advisories in cook county, Il arrowhead lake

Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie - Methylmercury

Busse lake

Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie - PCB's calumet River system

Black Bullhead, Channel Catfish, Common Carp - PCB’s chicago River

Common Carp, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Sunfish, Black Bullhead, Channel Catfish, Common Carp - PCB’s Des Plaines River

Largemouth Bass*Channel Catfish. Common Carp, Freshwater Drum - Methylmercury*,PCB’s lake calumet

Channel Catfish, Freshwater Drum, White Bass, Common Carp, White Perch, Largemouth Bass - PCB&’s lake Michigan

Rock Bass*, Yellow Perch*, Brown Trout, Chinook Salmon, Common Carp, Channel Catfish, Coho Salmon, Smelt, Lake Whitefish, Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout - PCB’s Marquette Park lagoon

Largemouth Bass - Methylmercury

Mckinley Park lagoon

Common Carp - Methylmercury

Midlothian Reservoir

Common Carp, Largemouth Bass* Methylmercury*,PCB’s Powderhorn lake

Common Carp - PCB’s saganashkee slough

Channel Catfish - PCB’s salt creek

Common Carp - PCB’s