Press Release
| For More Information Contact: | For Release: |
| Julie Armstrong, Health Educator | Date: 3-7-01 |
| Phone: (937) 642-2053 | |
| Fax: (937) 642-2080 |
Annual Advice Issued on Eating Ohio Sport Fish
As Ohio anglers purchase new fishing licenses for the fishing season that has just begun, the Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Department of Natural resources and Union County Health Department are teaming up to make sure they have the latest health information on eating sport fish.
This year there are 11 new or
revised advisories. The Department
of Health recommends that some species of Ohio sport fish be eaten in moderation
such as one meal per week or month, or one meal every two months.
In some instances, Ohioans are advised not to eat certain species,
usually channel catfish and carp, taken from specific bodies of water.
According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, sport fish in most areas
make a safe, nutritious, and low-fat meal and levels of contamination in Lake
Erie and other Ohio waters are actually declining For example, Lake Erie Small mouth
bass can be eaten once a week, Instead of once a month as advised
last year. Other improvements
include Scioto River channel catfish and common carp.
They have been removed from the “Do Not Eat” list and up grade to one
meal.
New or Revised Fish Advisories
 | Lake Erie: Small mouth bass can be eaten once a week. |
| Adams Lake: Bluegill sunfish and largemouth bass should be
limited to one meal a month. |
| Findlay State Park: Largemouth bass should be eaten one a month. |
| Grand River: Common carp 22 inches and over, freshwater
drum, largemouth bass, sliver red horse, small mouth bass, and yellow bullhead
can be eaten once a month; common carp less than 22 inches can be eaten once a
week. |
| Hocking River: common carp should not be eaten more than
once a month. |
| Jefferson State Park Lake: Largemouth bass should not be
eaten more than once a month. |
| Little Beaver Creek (Southeast Ohio River Tributary):
Common carp and sauger, should not be eaten more than once a month. Channel Catfish
should be limited to once every two months. |
| Little Scioto River: Rock bass and spotted bass should not
be eaten more than once a month. |
| Ohio River: Walleye under 17 inches can be eaten once a
week. Walleye 17 inches and over should not be eaten more than once a month. |
| Scioto River: Flathead catfish under 21 inches, largemouth
bass, sauger, saugeye can be eaten once a week. Channel catfish, common carp under 20 inches, flathead
catfish 21 inches and over and freshwater drum should be limited to one meal
every 2 months. |
| Walnut Creek: Channel Catfish should not be eaten more than once a month. |
Copies of the fish consumption advisory may also be obtained by calling the Ohio Department of Health at 1-800-755-4769 or by checking out the ODH website at www.odh.state.oh.us. The complete list of the most recent ODH Fish Consumption Advisory is also available by contacting the Union County Health Department Environmental Health Division at (937) 642-2053.