Do not eat the fish

[lbean]

Is it a general rule of thumb that you can not eat fish in the US or are there still fresh water lakes and streams where it is safe to eat the fish you catch?

[dinosaur]

There are plenty of smaller inland lakes that are clean and have wonderful fish. There are also some larger man made lakes like Lake Sam Rayburn in Texas, and Pomme De Terre in Missouri that have excellent fishing and clean fish. Don't eat anything out of the Great Lakes.

[jason]

I eat the fish caught here. With the exception of the retention ponds in neighborhoods.

[dinosaur]

Ever cruise the Okeefenokee? There's some really big bass in there. Of course there are also some pretty big alligators.

[Alliegator]

It really depends upon where they are. I think you're supposed to limit your intake if they are caught in some places. We fish in a public lake that is safe to fish in though so we don't have any trouble.

[Dougdad]

Dino, I have lived in MI all my life and have ate fish from the great lakes all my life, I am still alive! The issue with the Great lakes is not as bad as some think, it is all blown out of proportion. They recommend no more then 3 meals a week because some areas of the lakes have a natural mercury level that fluxuates. All states have issues to one degree or another, read the warnings in the rule books provided at the licence agents when you purchase your state licence.

[hikinboot]

I think the biggest problem with the fish is indeed the mercury because too much is not good, it can cause metal poisoning and can interfere with some medications.

[dinosaur]

Originally Posted by Dougdad

Dino, I have lived in MI all my life and have ate fish from the great lakes all my life, I am still alive! The issue with the Great lakes is not as bad as some think, it is all blown out of proportion.

Dougdad, I have lived in Northwestern Indiana and Chicago all my life other than some interesting sojourns around the world. I have eaten fish from lakes Michigan, Superior, and Erie and at least I think I'm still alive. My comment was tongue-in-cheek hoping someone like you would answer it. The fact is, all but the most polluted waters in the U.S. have fish that are safe to eat.

The Michigan City Pier is only a handful of miles from me and the perch are excellent fare. When I was a small boy, my daddy said to me: "Son, if you believe ANYTHING the government tells you, you're a fool." That doesn't mean that the government is always wrong. But you need to check it out yourself because they are notorious liars.

[Pumpy]

I wonder if that blue algae stuff in Ohio has made a difference. I know blue algae is toxic and closed the lakes. Do you think the blue algae in those lakes makes the fish unsafe to eat?

[Dougdad]

When in doubt Pumpy contact your local Department of Natural Resources Biologists. They are the gooroos of safe eating so they say LOL

Thanks for clearing that up for me Dino.