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Michigan safe fish guidelines: How much fish you should eat in a month

By Amber Ainsworth
Published  May 3, 2022 11:52am EDT
Michigan
FOX 2 Detroit
article

(Photo: Michal Dziekonski/Pixabay)

DETROIT (FOX 2) - Due to chemicals, Michigan has statewide guidelines for how much fish you should consume a month.

The statewide guidelines apply to certain species of fish caught in any body of water. However, some bodies of water may have Do Not Eat advisories. These advisories may apply to some or all fish caught in listed lakes, ponds, and rivers.

Before referring to the statewide guidelines, you should check your region's Eat Safe Fish Guide to see if the species or body of water is listed. If it is not, refer to the statewide guidelines below.

MORE: Do not eat fish from these SE Michigan lakes, rivers, and ponds

The guidelines from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are not required to be followed, but they exist to help you decide how much fish you should eat.

The state also has definitions of what constitutes a serving – if you weigh 45 pounds, a serving is 2 ounces; if you weigh 90 pounds, a serving is 4 ounces; if you weigh 180 pounds, a serving is 8 ounces. 

For every 20 pounds less than the weight above, subtract 1 ounce of fish. For every 20 pounds more than the weight above, add 1 ounce of fish.

The servings per month guidelines can be doubled if mercury and PFOS are not listed as the chemicals of concern, and you carefully choose which fish you will eat and from which body of water, properly clean the fish, and cook the fish correctly. This includes trimming away as much fat as possible, and grilling or broiling the fish.

However, if mercury or PFOS is a chemical of concern, it is advised that you stick to the serving guidelines.

Michigan safe fish guidelines:

  • Black Crappie Chemical: Mercury Size of fish: Any Size 4 servings per month
  • Bluegill MercuryAny Size 8 servings per month
  • Brown Trout Mercury Any Size 4 servings per month
  • Bullhead Mercury Any Size4 servings per month
  • Carp PCBs Any Size 2 servings per month
  • Catfish PCBs & Mercury Any Size 4 servings per month
  • Largemouth Bass MercuryUnder 18 inches - 2 servings per monthOver 18 inhces - 1 serving per month
  • Muskellunge Mercury Any Size 1 serving per month
  • Northern Pike MercuryUnder 30 inches - 2 servings per monthOver 30 inches - 1 serving per month
  • Rock Bass Mercury Any Size 4 servings per month
  • Smallmouth Bass MercuryUnder 18 inches - 2 servings per monthOver 18 inches - 1 serving per month
  • Suckers Mercury Any Size 8 servings per month
  • Sunfish Mercury Any Size8 servings per month
  • Walleye MercuryUnder 20 inches - 2 servings per monthOver 20 inches - 1 servings per month
  • White Crappie Mercury Any Size 4 servings per month
  • Yellow Perch Mercury Any Size 4 servings per month