ST. PAUL, MN (KDAL) – The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has updated its fish consumption guidelines and finds that fish from water bodies in northeast Minnesota generally have higher mercury concentrations than elsewhere in the state.
For fish caught in St. Louis, Lake and Cook Counties, sensitive populations, that include kids under 15 and anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, should avoid eating any size muskies, northern pike that are 26 inches or longer and walleye that are 18 inches or longer.
The general population should limit musky servings to one a month and pike, walleye, bass, catfish, perch and lake trout to one serving per week for fish caught in northeast Minnesota. Other specific fish consumption guidelines are available on the MDH website: health.state.mn.us.
The guidelines are based on the average mercury, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels measured in fish.
The updated guidelines are not based on a significant increase in the amount of mercury found in northeast Minnesota fish, but on the need to be more protective of sensitive groups.
Larger fish tend to have higher concentrations of mercury so eating smaller fish is recommended.
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