2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Ohio Sport Fish

Consumption Advisory
May 2021
2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Contents
Fish for Your Health: Overall Advice on Fish Consumption......................................................................................3
Fish: A Healthy Part of Your Diet...........................................................................................................................3
Choose Healthier Fish ............................................................................................................................................4
“Do Not Eat” Advisories.........................................................................................................................................5
Serving Size ............................................................................................................................................................6
Prepare it Healthy ..................................................................................................................................................7
Sensitive Populations ............................................................................................................................................8
Advisory Table............................................................................................................................................................9
How to Use the Advisory Table .............................................................................................................................9
The 2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory Table ................................................................................... 10
Turtle Consumption Advisory............................................................................................................................. 26
Frequently Asked Questions .................................................................................................................................. 27
1. What health benefits do I get from eating Ohio sport fish? ..................................................................... 27
2. What is a fish consumption advisory and why is it needed? .................................................................... 27
3. What contaminants are in Ohio sport fish? ............................................................................................... 28
4. How do methyl mercury and PCBs affect human health?......................................................................... 28
5. Who is most at risk of health problems from fish contaminants?............................................................ 28
6. Why does Ohio have an advisory to only eat one meal of sport fish a week?......................................... 28
7. How much fish is a meal? ........................................................................................................................... 28
8. Should I stop eating fish?............................................................................................................................ 29
9. Is fish from grocery stores and restaurants safe to eat? ........................................................................... 29
10. I ate a serving of fish which the advisory recommends only eating once per month due to PCBs
contamination. Can I also eat a serving of a different kind of fish which the advisory recommends eating
only once per month due to mercury contamination? ................................................................................. 29
11. What should I do if I eat more than the recommended amount of fish and shellfish in a week? ........ 29
12. Has the lake or stream where I like to fish been sampled for contaminated fish?................................ 30
13. What contaminants are looked for to determine if an advisory is needed?.......................................... 30
14. The water where I fish seems dirty, but the fish have been sampled and there is no advisory. Why
isn’t there an advisory? .................................................................................................................................. 30
15. How else can I reduce my health risk from contaminants in Ohio sport fish? ....................................... 30
Contact Us ............................................................................................................................................................... 31

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 2 of 31
2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Purpose
People who fish in Ohio waters should use this document to find important information on
the safety of consuming Ohio sport fish. This document provides information about fish
consumption advisories issued by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) for sport fish caught in
Ohio waters. ODH, in cooperation with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) and the
Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), issues this advice under Ohio law (Ohio Revised
Code Chapter 3701).

If you are an angler, or someone working with an organization

concerned with providing advisory information to the public,
please contact us directly at:

Ohio Department of Health

Bureau of Environmental Health and Radiation Protection
(614) 466-1390
[email protected]
www.odh.ohio.gov

Note: Fish consumption advisories are subject to change based

on new data. This document is updated routinely.

Fish for Your Health: Overall Advice on Fish Consumption

Fish: A Healthy Part of Your Diet
There are many benefits to including fish in a balanced diet for people of all ages. Fish are:
• High in protein.
• Low in fat.
• Rich in many vitamins and minerals.
• The primary food source of healthy oils called omega-3 fatty acids. Studies suggest that
omega-3 fatty acids are important during fetal brain and eye development and may help to
prevent heart disease in adults.
Additionally, fishing can be a rewarding hobby that brings people closer to nature, provides a source
of natural food, and can even help with wildlife conservation.

Unfortunately, some fish in Ohio’s waters are contaminated with harmful chemicals like
methylmercury and a group of chemicals called polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Over time, eating
contaminated fish can cause health problems if advisories are not followed.

By making safe fish choices, all Ohioans can enjoy the health benefits that fish offer.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 3 of 31
2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Choose Healthier Fish

In general, some fish tend to be lower in contaminants than others. Use the following table to guide
your Ohio sport fish consumption choices. To determine if the advisory on fish from a certain body
of water is more or less restrictive, refer to the 2020 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory Table.

Table 1. General Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advice

Meal Frequency Fish Species
Two meals/week* Yellow Perch
Walleye
Sunfish (e.g., Bluegill, Green Sunfish)
One meal/week All fish not specified in this table or the Advisory Table
One meal/month Flathead Catfish 23” and larger
Northern Pike 23” and larger
Steelhead Trout from Lake Erie and its tributaries
* Consumption of these species should be limited to one meal/week from the following bodies of water: Ashtabula River,
Cuyahoga River, Nesmith Lake, Portage (Ohio) Canal, and West Branch Reservoir; and as otherwise indicated in the Limit
Your Meals from These Waters section of this advisory.

Anglers in Ohio can also use the following general advice to harvest healthier fish with fewer
contaminants:
• Consume smaller fish within the legal size limit, as smaller, younger fish tend to have fewer
contaminants.
• Avoid bottom feeders and suckers.
• Avoid fish from a body of water known to be contaminated.
• Vary the types of fish you catch and eat.

Go to https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/discover-and-learn/safety-
conservation/about-ODNR/wildlife/species-guide for pictures of common Ohio sport fish.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 4 of 31
2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

The following chart can help you choose safe fish from Ohio waters and from grocery stores and
restaurants:

From Ohio waters: From grocery stores and

restaurants:
Choose: Choose:
• Crappie. • Canned Light Tuna.
• Sunfish. • Salmon.
• Walleye. • Shrimp.
• Yellow Perch. • Tilapia.

Avoid: Avoid:
• Any fish listed as “Do Not Eat.” • Bigeye Tuna.
• Consuming fish more often • King Mackerel.
than the advisory • Marlin.
recommends. • Orange Roughy.
• Bottom-feeders and suckers. • Shark.
• Older, larger fish which have had more time to • Swordfish.
build up contaminants. • Tilefish.

“Do Not Eat” Advisories

Some species of fish from certain Ohio waters should not be eaten at all. The following table
summarizes all Ohio sportfish for which a Do Not Eat advisory has been issued.

Table 2. “Do Not Eat” Advisories

Body of Water Area Under Advisory Species Contaminant
Cincinnati-Dayton Road, Middletown, to the Great
Dicks Creek All Species PCBs
Miami River
Lowhead Dam at Monument Avenue, Dayton, to Channel Catfish,
Great Miami River PCBs
Main Street, Moraine Common Carp
State Route 739 near Marion to Holland Road near
Little Scioto River All Species PAHs
Marion
Pennsylvania Border, East Liverpool, to Belleville Channel Catfish 18”
Ohio River PCBs
Lock and larger
Tuscarawas River Massillon to State Route 416, New Philadelphia Common Carp PCBs
PAHs = Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
PCBs=Polychlorinated Biphenyls

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 5 of 31
2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Serving Size
In this guide, the terms “serving size” and “meal” mean the same thing.

6 oz
4 oz

Adult Serving Child Serving

4 – 6 ounces cooked 2 – 3 ounces cooked
An adult serving is about A child serving is about
the size of the palm of an half the size of the palm of
adult’s hand. an adult’s hand.

In the Advisory Table on the following pages, a recommended meal frequency of “one/week” means
that an adult should eat no more than 4 – 6 ounces (cooked) of that type of fish each week, and that
a child should eat no more than 2 – 3 ounces (cooked) of that type of fish each week.

A recommended meal frequency of “two/week” means that an adult should eat no more than 8-12
ounces (cooked) of that type of fish each week. Keep in mind that this could either be one large meal
totaling 8-12 ounces, or any combination of smaller meals that equals 8-12 ounces. A recommended
meal frequency of “two/week” means that a child should eat no more than 4-6 ounces (cooked) of
that fish each week.

A child’s portion size will vary based on the child’s age, size, and nutritional needs. If you are
uncertain what portion size is right for you or your child, discuss your dietary needs with your
doctor.

Please note that the Ohio Department of Health bases its calculations for Ohio sport fish
consumption advisories on the larger size, 6-ounce meal, cooked meal (approximately 8
ounces when uncooked). These calculations help drive advisories which will be protective of those
who eat smaller meals, as well.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 6 of 31
2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Prepare it Healthy
When preparing whole fish, trim off the skin and fat before cooking to reduce contaminants.

• Cook and eat only the fillet. Discard the fat and skin before cooking.
• Bake, broil, or grill the fish on a rack so that the fat can drip away. This will remove certain
contaminants, such as PCBs. In addition, these methods won’t add extra unhealthy fats, as is
likely with frying. There is little evidence that pan frying removes contaminants.
• If poaching or deep-frying fish, discard the poaching liquid or cooking oil.

Cut away the fat along the back

Remove skin

Cut
Trim away the fatty area
off the belly along the side of the
fat fish

For Ohio sportfish recipes, visit https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/discover-and-

learn/education-training/wild-ohio-harvest-cookbook/wild-ohio-harvest-cookbook

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 7 of 31
2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Sensitive Populations
Ohio issued a statewide fish consumption advisory due to mercury contamination primarily for
pregnant women or women of childbearing age who may become pregnant, and for children age 15
and under. These groups are considered “sensitive populations” as fetuses whose mothers eat fish
before or during pregnancy, and children who eat fish, are more vulnerable to the health effects of
contaminants. These sensitive individuals are advised to eat no more than one meal/week of fish
(any species) from any Ohio body of water, except those listed as safe to eat two meals/week (see
Table 1 on page 4), or no more than the number of meals specified for the more restrictive
advisories listed in the Advisory Table section of this document.

Although the one meal/week advice applies mainly to these sensitive populations, Ohio
recommends that everyone follow this advice.

In 2017, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) issued advice to help women who are pregnant or may become pregnant – as
well as breastfeeding mothers and parents of young children – make informed choices when it
comes to store-bought fish and fish served in restaurants (including shellfish) that are healthy and
safe to eat.

To help these consumers more easily understand the types of fish to select, the agencies have
created an easy-to-use reference chart that sorts 62 types of fish into three categories:
• Best choices (eat two to three servings a week) – fish in this category make up nearly 90
percent of fish eaten in the United States.
• Good choices (eat one serving a week).
• Fish to avoid.
The updated advice cautions parents of young children and
certain women to avoid seven types of fish that typically
have higher mercury levels: tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico;
shark; swordfish; orange roughy; bigeye tuna; marlin; and
king mackerel. Choices lower in mercury include some of the
most commonly eaten fish, such as pollock, salmon, canned
light tuna, tilapia, catfish, and cod.
For details, including a link to the reference chart and
questions and answers in English, Spanish and many other
languages, visit https://www.epa.gov/fish-tech/epa-fda-advice-
about-eating-fish-and-shellfish.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 8 of 31
2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Advisory Table
How to Use the Advisory Table
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5
Body of Water Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant
Example River State Route 805, Columbus, Channel Catfish, One/month Mercury
to mouth Largemouth Bass
(Ohio Lake County)

Example interpretation: In the fictional advisory table above, channel catfish and largemouth bass
caught from the Example River between S.R. 805 in Columbus and the mouth of the river at Ohio
Lake should only be eaten once per month due to mercury contamination.
• In Column 1, Body of Water, find the body of water in which you are fishing.
• In Column 2, Area Under Advisory, find the specific portion of the body of water in which you
are fishing. If the advisory applies to the entire body of water, Column 2 will say “All waters”.
The Ohio counties are included in parentheses.
• In Column 3, Species, find the species of fish for which there are advisories in this body of
water. If a length is noted, measure the fish from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail fin.
See pictures of many common Ohio sport fish at
https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/discover-and-learn/safety-
conservation/about-ODNR/wildlife/species-guide
• In Column 4, Meal Frequency, find the recommended meal frequency for a specific fish.
Typical recommendations are:
o DO NOT EAT – Catch and release only; 0 meals per year.
o One/two months – 6 meals per year.
o One/month – 12 meals per year.
o One/week – 52 meals per year.
o Two/week – 104 meals per year.
o Unrestricted – No limit on meals per year.
• In Column 5, Contaminant, find the contaminant causing the advisory.

If your water body of interest is not listed in the advisory table, please use the general guidance in
Table 1. General Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advice on page 4. Bolded meal frequencies in the
Advisory Table are less restrictive than the general advice in Table 1.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 9 of 31
 2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

The 2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory Table

Bolded meal frequencies are less restrictive than the general advice in Table 1.

Body of Water Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant*

Acton Lake All waters Channel Catfish Two/week Mercury
(Butler, Preble Counties) Bluegill, Unrestricted --
Common Carp,
Saugeye
Adams Lake All waters Bluegill, One/month Mercury
(Adams County) Largemouth Bass
Ashtabula River Hilldom Road to U.S. Route Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
20/Prospect Road Smallmouth Bass One/month PCBs
(Ashtabula County)
U.S. Route 20 (Prospect Road) Common Carp, One/month PCBs
to mouth (Lake Erie) Freshwater Drum
(Ashtabula County)
Atwood Lake All waters Common Carp, Two/week Mercury
(Carroll, Tuscarawas Counties) Largemouth Bass
Bluegill, Unrestricted --
Saugeye,
White Crappie
Auglaize River U.S. Route 33, Wapakoneta to Freshwater Drum, One/month Mercury
Maumee River, Defiance Largemouth Bass,
(Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Smallmouth Bass
Paulding, Putman Counties)
Bad Creek All waters Channel Catfish Two/week Mercury
(Fulton County)
Belmont Lake All waters Channel Catfish Two/week Mercury
(Belmont County)
Largemouth Bass, One/month Mercury
Saugeye
Berlin Lake All waters Channel Catfish One/month PCBs
(Mahoning, Portage, Stark Common Carp One/month Lead, PCBs
Counties)
Big Darby Creek U.S. Route 42, Plain City, to Channel Catfish One/month Mercury, PCBs
Alkire Road, Georgesville Smallmouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Franklin, Madison, Union
Counties)
Alkire Road, Georgesville, to Channel Catfish One/month Mercury, PCBs
mouth (Scioto River) Freshwater Drum 20” One/month Mercury
(Franklin, Pickaway Counties) and larger,
Smallmouth Bass
Black Fork Mohican State Route 39, Melco, to Common Carp One/month PCBs
River mouth (Mohican River)
(Ashland, Richland Counties)
All waters Freshwater Drum Two/week Mercury
(Ashland, Richland Counties) Channel Catfish One/month PCBs
Rock Bass One/month Mercury

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 10 of 31
 2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Body of Water Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant*

Black River Interstate 80 to Homewood Channel Catfish One/month PCBs
Park, Lorain Freshwater Drum One/month Mercury, PCBs
(Lorain County)
Homewood Park, Lorain, to Erie Common Carp, One/month PCBs
St./U.S. Route 6 Channel Catfish
(Lorain County) Freshwater Drum One/month Mercury, PCBs
Erie St./U.S. Route 6 to mouth Common Carp One/two months PCBs
(Lake Erie) Channel Catfish One/month PCBs
(Lorain County) Freshwater Drum One/month Mercury, PCBs
Bokes Creek All waters Smallmouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Logan County)
Buckeye Lake All waters Black Crappie, Unrestricted --
(Fairfield, Licking, Perry Bluegill,
Counties) Channel Catfish,
Largemouth Bass,
Saugeye
Chagrin River Interstate 90 to mouth Rock Bass, One/month Mercury
(Lake Erie) Smallmouth Bass
(Lake County)
Chippewa Lake All waters Common Carp, Two/week Mercury
(Medina County) White Crappie
Bluegill, Unrestricted --
Channel Catfish
C.J. Brown Reservoir All waters Channel Catfish, Two/week Mercury
(Clark County) Common Carp
Clark Lake All waters Channel Catfish, Two/week Mercury
Common Carp
Clear Creek Clearport Road, Clearport to Common Carp One/month Mercury
mouth (Hocking River)
(Fairfield, Hocking Counties)
Clear Fork Reservoir All waters Largemouth Bass Two/week Mercury
(Richland County)
Confluence Park All waters Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
Ponds (Summit County)
Conneaut Creek All waters Smallmouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Ashtabula County)
Cowan Lake All waters Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Clinton County) Channel Catfish, Two/week Mercury
Common Carp
Bluegill Unrestricted --
Cross Creek Reeds Mill Road to mouth (Ohio Channel Catfish One/month Mercury, PCBs
River) Freshwater Drum, One/month Mercury
(Jefferson County) Smallmouth Bass
Cuyahoga River State Route 87, Russell Park, to Black Crappie, One/month Mercury
Ohio Edison Dam Pool Smallmouth Bass
(Geauga, Portage, Summit
Counties)
Ohio Edison Dam Pool to mouth Rock Bass Two/week Mercury
(Lake Erie) Brown Bullhead, One/month PCBs

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 11 of 31
 2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Body of Water Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant*

Cuyahoga River (Cuyahoga, Summit Counties) Channel Catfish,
(Continued) Common Carp,
Smallmouth Buffalo
White Sucker 16” and One/month Mercury
larger,
Smallmouth Bass 15” and
larger
Freshwater Drum One/month Mercury, PCBs
Delaware Lake All waters Bluegill, Two/week Mercury
Common Carp
Black Crappie One/week Arsenic
Channel Catfish One/week PCBs
Largemouth Bass One/week Arsenic, Mercury
Deer Creek Interstate 70 to mouth Channel Catfish, Two/week Mercury
(Scioto River) White Crappie
(Fayette, Madison, Pickaway,
Ross Counties)
Deer Creek Lake All waters Common Carp, Two/week Mercury
(Fayette, Pickaway Counties) Largemouth Bass,
White Crappie
Dicks Creek Cincinnati-Dayton Road, All Species DO NOT EAT PCBs
Middletown, to the Great
Miami River
(Butler County)
Dillon Lake All waters Common Carp, Two/week Mercury
(Muskingum County) Largemouth Bass
Dow Lake All waters Channel Catfish, One/month Mercury
(Athens County) Largemouth Bass
Dry Fork Whitewater All waters Rock Bass, One/month Mercury
River (Hamilton, Butler Counties) Smallmouth Bass
Duck Creek Township Road 329, Common Carp, One/month Total DDT
Stanleyville, to State Route 26, Sauger
Norwood
(Washington County)
State Route 26, Norwood, to Common Carp, One/month Total DDT
mouth (Ohio River) Sauger
(Washington County) Black Crappie, One/month Mercury
Freshwater Drum,
Saugeye 16” and larger
Eagle Creek All waters Redfin Pickerel, One/month Mercury
(Portage County) Rock Bass
East Branch Black Richman Road, Lodi, to mouth Common Carp 23” and One/month Mercury
River (Black River) larger,
(Lorain, Medina Counties) Rock Bass,
Smallmouth Bass,
Yellow Bullhead
East Branch Rocky State Route 3, North Royalton, Rock Bass One/month Mercury
River to mouth (Rocky River)
(Cuyahoga County)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 12 of 31
 2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Body of Water Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant*

East Fork Lake All waters Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Harsha Lake) (Clermont County)
East Fork Little Miami All waters Channel Catfish, One/month Mercury
River (Brown, Clermont, Clinton, Common Carp,
Hamilton, Highland Counties) Flathead Catfish,
Rock Bass,
Smallmouth Bass,
Spotted Bass
Eastwood Lake All waters Largemouth Bass One/month PCBs
(Montgomery County) Bluegill Sunfish Unrestricted --
Common Carp
Fish Creek All waters Rock Bass One/month Mercury
(Williams County)
Findlay Reservoir #2 All waters Walleye, Unrestricted --
(Hancock County) White Bass
Ford (Hamilton All waters Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
Hydraulic Canal) (Butler County) Common Carp
Forked Run Lake All waters Common Carp, One/month Mercury
(Meigs County) Largemouth Bass,
White Crappie
Four Mile Creek Acton Lake to Sevenmile Creek Smallmouth Bass 17” and One/month Mercury
(Butler County) larger
Grand Lake St. Marys All waters Largemouth Bass Two/week Mercury
(Auglaize, Mercer Counties)
Grand River Lake Estabrook, Parkman, to Common Carp 22” and One/month PCBs
Sweitzer Road, Camp Yakewi larger
(Ashtabula, Geauga, Trumbull Freshwater Drum, One/month Mercury
Counties) Largemouth Bass,
Rock Bass,
Silver Redhorse,
Smallmouth Bass,
Walleye,
Yellow Bullhead
Sweitzer Road, Camp Yakewi, to Common Carp 22” and One/month PCBs
State Route 2, Painesville larger,
(Ashtabula, Lake Counties) Rainbow Trout
Freshwater Drum, One/month Mercury
Largemouth Bass,
Rock Bass,
Silver Redhorse,
Smallmouth Bass,
Walleye,
Yellow Bullhead
State Route 2, Painesville, to Common Carp 18” and One/month PCBs
mouth (Lake Erie) larger, Rainbow Trout
(Lake County) Freshwater Drum, One/month Mercury
Largemouth Bass,
Silver Redhorse,

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 13 of 31
 2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Body of Water Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant*

Grand River Smallmouth Bass,
(Continued) Yellow Bullhead
Great Miami River Downstream of Indian Lake to Common Carp, One/month PCBs
Lowhead Dam at Monument Channel Catfish,
Avenue, Dayton Flathead Catfish
(Logan, Miami, Montgomery, Largemouth Bass, One/month Mercury
Shelby Counties) Saugeye,
Smallmouth Bass,
White Bass
Lowhead Dam at Monument Channel Catfish, DO NOT EAT PCBs
Avenue, Dayton, to Main Street, Common Carp
Moraine Flathead Catfish One/month PCBs, Mercury
(Montgomery County) Golden Redhorse, One/month PCBs
Smallmouth Redhorse
Largemouth Bass, One/month Mercury
Saugeye,
Smallmouth Bass,
White Bass
Main Street, Moraine, to State Flathead Catfish One/month PCBs, Mercury
Route 73 near Middletown Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
(Butler, Montgomery, Warren Common Carp,
Counties) Golden Redhorse,
Smallmouth Redhorse
Largemouth Bass, One/month Mercury
Saugeye,
Smallmouth Bass,
White Bass
State Route 73 near Striped Bass Hybrid One/two months PCBs, Lead
Middletown to Harrison Pike, Flathead Catfish One/month PCBs, Mercury
Miamitown Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
(Butler, Hamilton, Warren Common Carp,
Counties) Freshwater Drum,
Smallmouth Redhorse
Largemouth Bass, One/month Mercury
Saugeye,
Smallmouth Bass,
White Bass
Harrison Pike, Miamitown, to Striped Bass Hybrid One/two months *PCBs, Lead
mouth (Ohio River) Flathead Catfish One/month PCBs, Mercury
(Hamilton County) Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
Common Carp,
Smallmouth Redhorse
Freshwater Drum 16” One/month Mercury
and larger,
Largemouth Bass,
Saugeye,
White Bass
Greenville Creek All waters Largemouth Bass, One/month Mercury
(Darke, Miami Counties) Smallmouth Bass

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 14 of 31
 2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Body of Water Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant*

Griggs Reservoir All waters Common Carp Two/week Mercury
(Franklin County)
Guilford Lake All waters Common Carp, Two/week Mercury
(Columbiana County) Largemouth Bass
Bluegill, Unrestricted --
Channel Catfish,
White Crappie
Hamilton Hydraulic (see “Ford Hydraulic Canal”)
Canal
Highlandtown Lake All waters Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Columbiana County)
Hocking River Rock Mill Road, Rock Mill, to Common Carp One/month PCBs, Mercury
State Route 33, The Plains Smallmouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Athens, Fairfield, Hocking Black Crappie Unrestricted --
Counties)
State Route 33, The Plains, to Freshwater Drum One/month PCBs
U.S. Route 50/State Route 32, Walleye, One/month Mercury
Athens Smallmouth Bass,
(Athens, Hocking Counties) Spotted Bass
Black Crappie Unrestricted --
U.S. Route 50/State route 32, Freshwater Drum One/month PCBs
Athens, to mouth (Ohio River) Spotted Bass One/month Lead
(Athens County) Smallmouth Bass One/month Mercury
Rock Bass Two/week Mercury
Black Crappie Unrestricted --
Huron River All waters Common Carp, One/month PCBs
(Erie, Huron Counties) Smallmouth Buffalo,
Channel Catfish,
Flathead Catfish
Freshwater Drum One/month Mercury
Rock Bass, Two/week Mercury
White Crappie
Indian Lake All waters Largemouth Bass Two/week Mercury
(Logan County) Black Crappie, Unrestricted --
Bluegill,
Channel Catfish,
Common Carp,
Saugeye
Jackson City Reservoir All waters Largemouth Bass, One/month Mercury
(Jackson County) Smallmouth Bass
Jefferson Lake All waters Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Jefferson County)
Killdeer Pond #30 All waters Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Wyandot County)
Kiser Lake All waters Largemouth Bass Two/week Mercury
(Champaign County) Bluegill Unrestricted --

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 15 of 31
 2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Body of Water Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant*

Knox Lake All waters Common Carp, Two/week Mercury
(Knox County) White Crappie
Channel Catfish Unrestricted --
Kokosing Lake All waters Black Crappie One/month Lead
(Knox County)
Kokosing River County Road 13/Green Valley Rock Bass 8” and larger, One/month Mercury
Road, Mount Vernon, to mouth Smallmouth Bass
(Walhonding River)
(Coshocton, Knox Counties)
LaDue Reservoir All waters Brown Bullhead, Two/week Mercury
(Geauga County) Largemouth Bass
Lake Erie All waters Common Carp 27” and One/two months PCBs
(Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, larger
Lake, Lorain, Lucas, Ottawa, Smallmouth Bass One/month PCBs, Mercury
Sandusky Counties) Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
Common Carp 27” and
under,
Freshwater Drum,
Lake Trout,
Steelhead Trout,
White Bass,
Whitefish 21” and larger,
White Perch
Brown Bullhead One/month Mercury
Bluegill Sunfish Unrestricted --
Lake Hope All waters Bluegill Sunfish One/month Mercury
(Vinton County) Largemouth Bass,
Lake La Su An All waters Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Williams County) Bluegill One/week Mercury

Lake Lavere All waters Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury

(Williams County)
Lake Logan All waters Common Carp, Two/week Mercury
(Hocking County) White Crappie
Bluegill, Unrestricted --
Channel Catfish,
Saugeye
Lake Loramie All waters Common Carp, Two/week Mercury
(Shelby, Auglaize Counties) Largemouth Bass
Channel Catfish, Unrestricted --
Saugeye,
White Crappie
Lake Milton All waters Common Carp One/month PCBs
(Mahoning County)
Lake Nesmith All waters Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
(Summit County) Common Carp
Lake Sue All waters Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Williams County)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 16 of 31
 2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Body of Water Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant*

Lake Vesuvius All waters Bluegill One/week Mercury
(Lawrence County) Channel Catfish, One/month Mercury
Largemouth Bass
Lake White All waters Common Carp Two/week Mercury
(Pike County)
Leesville Lake All waters Black Crappie, Two/week Mercury
(Carroll County) Bluegill,
Channel Catfish,
Common Carp,
Yellow Perch
Saugeye One/month Mercury
Little Beaver Creek Upstream of Bell School Road, Channel Catfish One/two months PCBs
Williamsport, to Pennsylvania Common Carp, One/month PCBs
State Line near Grimms Bridge Sauger
Road Smallmouth Bass 12” and One/month Mercury
(Columbiana County) larger
Little Cuyahoga River State Route 532 near Mogadore Common Carp One/month PCBs
to mouth (Cuyahoga River) Yellow Bullhead One/month Lead
(Summit County)
Little Miami River Lower Bellbrook Road, Common Carp 24” and One/month Mercury
Bellbrook, to mouth (Ohio larger,
River) Freshwater Drum 16”
(Clermont, Greene, Hamilton, and larger,
Warren Counties) Sauger,
Silver Redhorse,
Smallmouth Bass
Little Muskingum Hill’s Covered Bridge to mouth Freshwater Drum One/month Mercury, PCBs
River (Ohio River) Spotted Bass, One/month Mercury
(Washington County) Smallmouth Bass
Little Scioto River State Route 739 near Marion to All Species DO NOT EAT PAHs
Holland Road near Marion
(Marion County)
Little Scioto River Millstone Road to mouth Channel Catfish One/month PCBs, Mercury
(Southeast Ohio River (Scioto River) Rock Bass, One/month Mercury
tributary) (Scioto County) Smallmouth Bass,
Spotted Bass
Mad River U.S. Route 36, Urbana, to Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
mouth (Great Miami River) Common Carp
(Champaign, Clark, Greene, Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
Montgomery Counties)
Mahoning River Rockhill Avenue NE, Alliance, to Channel Catfish One/two months PCBs
Pennsylvania State Line Smallmouth Bass, One/month *Mercury, PCBs
(Mahoning, Portage, Stark, Walleye
Trumbull Counties) Bluegill, One/month PCBs
Common Carp
Northern Pike,
Rock Bass
Yellow Perch One/week PCBs

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 17 of 31
 2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Body of Water Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant*

Maumee River Indiana State Line to Defiance Common Carp, One/month Mercury, PCBs
(Defiance, Paulding Counties) Flathead Catfish,
Freshwater Drum,
Smallmouth Bass,
Smallmouth Buffalo
Defiance to Perrysburg Channel Catfish One/month PCBs
(Defiance, Henry, Lucas, Wood Common Carp, One/month Mercury, PCBs
Counties) Flathead Catfish,
Freshwater Drum,
Smallmouth Bass,
Smallmouth Buffalo
Perrysburg to Interstate 75 Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
(Lucas, Wood Counties) Common Carp
Flathead Catfish, One/month Mercury, PCBs
Freshwater Drum,
Smallmouth Bass,
Smallmouth Buffalo
Interstate 75 to mouth (Lake Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
Erie) Common Carp,
(Lucas County) Smallmouth Bass
Flathead Catfish, One/month Mercury/PCBs
Freshwater Drum,
Smallmouth Buffalo
Meadowbrook Lake Perrysburg to mouth (Lake Erie) Channel Catfish One/two months PCBs
(Lucas, Wood Counties)
Middle Fork Little Allen Road, Salem, to State Common Carp, One/month Mercury, PCBs
Beaver Creek Route 14, Millville Flathead Catfish,
(Columbiana, Mahoning Freshwater Drum,
Counties) Smallmouth Bass,
Smallmouth Buffalo
Sauger One/month PCBs
State Route 14, Millville, to Common Carp, One/month PCBs
mouth (Little Beaver Creek) Sauger
(Columbiana County) Freshwater Drum One/month Mercury
Mill Creek South Denmark Road, Jefferson, Largemouth Bass, One/month Mercury
(Ashtabula) to mouth (Grand River) Rock Bass
(Ashtabula County)
Mill Creek (Cincinnati) Interstate 275 to the Ohio River Striped Bass Hybrid One/month PCBs
(Hamilton County)
Mill Creek State Route 36 to mouth (Scioto Saugeye Two/week Mercury
(Marysville) River) Smallmouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Union County)
Mosquito Creek All waters Northern Pike One/month Mercury
(Trumbull County) Common Carp One/month PCBs
Bluegill One/week PCBs, Lead
Muskingum River Zanesville Dam, Zanesville, to Smallmouth Buffalo 24” One/two months PCBs
mouth (Ohio River) and larger
(Morgan, Muskingum, Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
Washington Counties) Common Carp,

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 18 of 31
 2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Body of Water Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant*

Muskingum River Smallmouth Buffalo
(Continued) under 24”,
White Bass
Flathead Catfish 24” and One/month Mercury, PCBs
larger,
Saugeye,
Striped Bass Hybrid
Freshwater Drum, One/month Mercury
Spotted Bass
New Lyme Lake All waters Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Ashtabula County)
Nimishillen Creek All waters Common Carp One/month PCBs
(Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas Green Sunfish Unrestricted --
Counties)
North Branch Portage All waters Common Carp One/month PCBs
River (Wood County)
North Reservoir All waters Largemouth Bass, Unrestricted --
(Summit County) Bluegill Sunfish

North Turkeyfoot All waters Channel Catfish Two/week Mercury

Creek (Henry County) Common Carp Unrestricted --
Ohio Brush Creek State Route 73, Louden, to Spotted Bass One/month Mercury
mouth (Ohio River)
(Adams County)
Ohio River Pennsylvania Border, East Channel Catfish 18” and DO NOT EAT PCBs
Liverpool, to Belleville Lock larger
(Athens, Belmont, Columbiana, Common Carp, One/two months PCBs
Jefferson, Meigs, Monroe, Striped Bass Hybrid,
Washington Counties) White Bass
Channel Catfish under One/month PCBs
18”,
Flathead Catfish,
Freshwater Drum,
Largemouth Bass,
Saugeye,
Smallmouth Bass,
Smallmouth Buffalo,
Spotted Bass,
All Suckers,
Walleye
All Crappie One/month Mercury
Sauger One/month Mercury, PCBs
Belleville Lock to Indiana Border Channel Catfish 18” and One/two months PCBs
(Adams, Brown, Clermont, larger,
Gallia, Hamilton, Lawrence, Striped Bass,
Meigs, Scioto Counties) Striped Bass Hybrid
Channel Catfish under One/month PCBs
18”, Common Carp,
All Suckers
Largemouth Bass, One/month Mercury
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 19 of 31
 2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Body of Water Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant*

Ohio River Smallmouth Bass,
(Continued) Spotted Bass
Flathead Catfish, One/month Mercury, PCBs
Freshwater Drum,
White Bass
Olentangy River State Route 95, Claridon, to Smallmouth Bass One/month Mercury
mouth (Scioto River), including
Delaware Reservoir
(Delaware, Franklin, Marion
Counties)
O’Shaughnessy All waters Common Carp, Two/week Mercury
Reservoir (Delaware County) White Crappie
Ottawa River (Lima) Cool Road, Allen County, to Rock Bass, One/month Mercury
mouth (Auglaize River) Smallmouth Bass
(Allen, Putnam Counties)
Ottawa River (Toledo) Main Street, Sylvania, to mouth Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
(Lake Erie) Common Carp,
(Lucas County) Golden Shiner
Pumpkinseed Sunfish One/week PCBs
Paint Creek State Route 734 near Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
Jeffersonville to near Plyley’s
Lane at Belleview Avenue,
Belleview Heights
(Fayette, Highland, Madison,
Ross Counties)
Near Plyley’s Lane at Belleview Common Carp One/month PCBs
Avenue, Belleview Heights, to Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
mouth (Scioto River)
(Ross County)
Paint Creek Lake All waters Saugeye Two/week Mercury
(Highland County) Bluegill Unrestricted --
Piedmont Lake All waters Common Carp, Two/week Mercury
(Harrison County) Largemouth Bass
Bluegill Unrestricted --
Pike Lake All waters Channel Catfish Two/week Mercury
(Pike County)
Pine Creek Monroe Road to mouth Sauger, One/month Mercury
(Ohio River) Spotted Bass
(Lawrence, Scioto Counties)
Portage Canal (Ohio All waters Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
Canal) (Summit County) Common Carp
Portage River Ohio Turnpike to Lake Erie Channel Catfish, One/two months PCBs
(Ottawa County) Common Carp
Punderson Lake All waters Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Geauga County)
Pymatuning Reservoir All waters Largemouth Bass Two/week Mercury
(Ashtabula County)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 20 of 31
 2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Body of Water Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant*

Raccoon Creek State Route 160, Vinton, to Freshwater Drum, One/month Mercury
mouth (Ohio River) Spotted Bass
(Vinton, Gallia Counties)

Rocky Fork Lake All waters (Highland County) Channel Catfish Two/week Mercury
Common Carp
Bluegill Unrestricted --
Rocky Fork Licking Jobes Road near Davis Farm Smallmouth Bass One/month Mercury
River Bridge to mouth (Licking River)
(Licking County)
Rocky Fork Little Kendall Road, Minford, to Spotted Bass One/month Mercury
Scioto River mouth (Little Scioto River)
(Scioto County)
Rocky Fork Mohican Interstate 71 to mouth (Black Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
River Fork Mohican River) Common Carp
(Richland County)
Rush Creek Lake All waters Channel Catfish, Two/week Mercury
(Fairfield, Perry Counties) Common Carp
Redear Sunfish One/week Arsenic
Rush Run Lake All waters Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Preble County)
Salt Creek State Route 56 near Election Channel Catfish 18” and One/month Mercury
Road, Haynes, to mouth (Scioto larger,
River) Sauger,
(Hocking, Ross, Vinton Smallmouth Bass,
Counties) Spotted Bass
Flathead Catfish One/month Mercury, PCBs
Salt Fork Reservoir All waters Bluegill Unrestricted --
(Guernsey County)
Salt Lick Creek North High Street, Jackson, to Spotted Bass One/month Mercury
County Road 216/Springer Road
(Jackson, Ross Counties)
Sandusky River State Route 598, Leesville, to Smallmouth Bass One/month Mercury
Rice Road, Ballville
(Crawford, Sandusky, Seneca, Common Carp, One/month PCBs
Wyandot Counties) Smallmouth Buffalo

Rice Road, Ballville, to mouth Smallmouth Bass One/month Mercury

(Lake Erie) Common Carp One/month PCBs
(Sandusky County)
Sandusky River U.S. Route 224, Tiffin to mouth Channel Catfish, One/month Mercury
(Hancock, Sandusky, Seneca Smallmouth Bass
Counties)
Sandy Creek Stump Road, Minerva, to mouth Common Carp, One/month PCBs
(Tuscarawas River) Rock Bass
(Carroll, Columbiana, Stark, Smallmouth Bass One/month Mercury, PCBs
Tuscarawas Counties)
Schoonover Lake All waters Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Allen County)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 21 of 31
 2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Body of Water Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant*

Scioto River U.S. Route 68, Kenton, to Northern Pike, One/month Mercury
Ostrander Road, Warrensburg Saugeye 19” and larger,
(Delaware, Hardin, Marion Smallmouth Bass
Counties) Flathead Catfish 21” and One/month PCBs
larger

Ostrander Road, Warrensburg, Saugeye 19” and larger One/month Mercury

to Greenlawn Dam, Columbus Flathead Catfish One/month Mercury, PCBs
(Delaware, Franklin, Pickaway
Counties)
Greenlawn Dam, Columbus, to Saugeye 19” and larger, One/month Mercury
U.S. Route 35, Chillicothe White Bass 12” and
(Pickaway, Ross Counties) larger
Flathead Catfish One/month Mercury, PCBs
Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
Common Carp
U.S. Route 35, Chillicothe, to White Bass 12” and One/month Mercury
State Route 335, Omega larger
(Pike, Ross Counties) Flathead Catfish One/month Mercury, PCBs
Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
Common Carp
State Route 335, Omega, to White Bass 12” and One/month Mercury
mouth (Ohio River) larger
(Pike, Scioto Counties) Flathead Catfish One/month Mercury, PCBs
Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
Common Carp
Shade River All waters Freshwater Drum One/month Mercury
(Meigs County)
Sippo Lake All waters Black Crappie, Unrestricted --
(Stark County) Bluegill,
Common Carp,
Largemouth Bass
South Branch Portage Defiance Pike to mouth Common Carp One/month PCBs
River (Portage River)
(Wood County)
South Turkeyfoot All waters Yellow Bullhead Two/week Mercury
Creek (Henry County)
Springfield Lake All waters Largemouth Bass Two/week Mercury
(Summit County)
White Crappie Unrestricted --
St. Joseph Lake All waters Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Perry County)
St. Joseph River All waters Channel Catfish One/month *Mercury, PCBs
(Defiance, Williams Counties) Northern Pike, Rock Bass One/month Mercury
St. Marys River All waters Freshwater Drum, One/month Mercury
(Auglaize, Mercer, Van Wert Largemouth Bass,
Counties) Northern Pike,
Saugeye

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 22 of 31
 2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Body of Water Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant*

Stillwater Creek Piedmont lake to State Route Northern Pike, One/month Mercury
800 Saugeye
(Tuscarawas, Harrison, Belmont
Counties)
Stillwater River Brooks Road, Cosmos, to State Channel Catfish, One/month Mercury
Route 121, Smallmouth Bass
Needmore
(Darke County)
State Route 121, Needmore, to Channel Catfish, One/month Mercury
State Route 718, Pleasant Hill Rock Bass 8” and larger,
(Darke, Miami Counties) Smallmouth Bass
State Route 718, Pleasant Hill, Channel Catfish, One/month Mercury
to Turner Shoup Mill Road, Largemouth Bass 13” and
Dayton larger,
(Miami, Montgomery Counties) Rock Bass 8” and larger,
Smallmouth Bass
Turner Shoup Mill Road, Channel Catfish, One/month Mercury
Dayton, to mouth (Great Miami Largemouth Bass 13” and
River) larger,
(Montgomery County) Rock Bass 8” and larger,
Smallmouth Bass,
White Crappie
Stonelick Lake All waters Channel Catfish Two/week Mercury
(Clermont County)
Sugar Creek Beach City to Mouth Bluegill Unrestricted --
(Tuscarawas County)
Summit Lake All waters Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
(Summit County) Common Carp
Swan Creek Weckerley Road, Whitehouse, Yellow Perch One/week PCBs
to mouth Common Carp One/month Mercury, PCBs
(Lake Erie) Freshwater Drum, One/month Mercury
(Lucas County) Northern Pike,
Rock Bass
Symmes Creek State Route 141, Waterloo, to Freshwater Drum, One/month Mercury
Ohio River Sauger,
(Gallia, Lawrence Counties) Channel Catfish
Tiffin River All waters Channel Catfish 20” and One/month Mercury
(Defiance, Fulton, Williams larger,
Counties) Common Carp,
Flathead Catfish,
Freshwater Drum,
Northern Pike 25” and
larger,
Smallmouth Bass
Tinkers Creek East Idlewood Drive, near Common Carp One/month Mercury
Twinsburg, to Cuyahoga River
(Cuyahoga, Summit Counties)
Toussaint Creek U.S. 23 to mouth (Lake Erie) Common Carp One/month PCBs
(Ottawa, Sandusky Counties)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 23 of 31
 2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Body of Water Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant*

Turkey Creek Lake All waters Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Scioto County)
Tuscarawas River Arlington Road, Akron, to State Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
Route 619, Barberton Common Carp
(Summit County)
State Route 619, Barberton, to Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
Massillon Common Carp
(Stark, Summit Counties) Smallmouth Bass, One/month PCBs
State Route 619, Barberton, to Yellowhead Bullhead
Massillon Northern Pike 25” and One/month Mercury
(Stark, Summit Counties) larger
(Continued)
Massillon to State Route 416, Common Carp DO NOT EAT PCBs
New Philadelphia Channel Catfish One/two months PCBs
(Stark, Tuscarawas Counties) Black Crappie, One/month PCBs
Rock Bass 9” and larger,
Smallmouth Bass,
Yellow Bullhead
Northern Pike 25” and One/month Mercury
larger
State Route 416, New Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
Philadelphia, to Township Road Common Carp,
62, Tuscarawas Flathead Catfish
(Tuscarawas County) Walleye One/month PCBs
Township Road 62, Tuscarawas, Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
to State Route 751, Orange Common Carp,
(Coshocton, Tuscarawas Flathead Catfish
Counties) Freshwater Drum, One/month Mercury, PCBs
Walleye
State Route 751, Orange, to Channel Catfish, One/month PCBs
mouth (Muskingum River) Common Carp,
(Coshocton County) Flathead Catfish
Freshwater Drum One/month Mercury, PCBs
Twin Creek U.S. Route 40, Lewisburg, to Smallmouth Bass 13” and One/month Mercury
mouth (Great Miami River) larger
(Montgomery, Preble, Warren
Counties)
Tycoon Lake All waters Black Crappie, Two/week Mercury
(Gallia County) Bluegill,
Channel Catfish
Tymochtee Creek State Route 37, Marseilles, to Channel Catfish One/month Mercury
mouth (Sandusky River)
(Wyandot County)
Upper Sandusky All waters Bluegill Sunfish Unrestricted --
Reservoir # 2 (Wyandot County) Largemouth Bass,
Vermilion River All waters Smallmouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Erie, Huron, Lorain, Richland
Counties)

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 24 of 31
 2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Body of Water Area Under Advisory Species Meal Frequency Contaminant*

Veteran’s Memorial All waters Saugeye Unrestricted --
Reservoir (Hancock County) Largemouth Bass, Two/week Mercury
White Crappie
Common Carp One/month Mercury
Wakatomika Creek All waters Smallmouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Coshocton, Knox, Licking,
Muskingum Counties)
Walborn Reservoir All waters Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
(Portage, Stark Counties)
Walhonding River All waters Freshwater Drum, One/month Mercury
(Coshocton County) Smallmouth Bass
Walnut Creek (Scioto All waters Channel Catfish One/month PCBs
River tributary) (Fairfield, Franklin, Pickaway Smallmouth Bass One/month Mercury
Counties)
West Branch Black Parsons Road to mouth (Black Common Carp, One/month Mercury
River River) Rock Bass
(Lorain County)
West Branch Huron Monroeville at River Road to Common Carp One/month PCBs
River mouth (Huron River)
(Erie, Huron Counties)
West Branch All waters Largemouth Bass One/month Mercury
Reservoir (Michael J. (Portage County)
Kirwan Reservoir)
West Reservoir All waters Black Crappie Two/month Mercury
(Summit County) Bluegill Sunfish, Unrestricted --
Channel Catfish
West Branch Rocky All waters Rock Bass, One/month Mercury
River (Cuyahoga, Medina Counties) Smallmouth Bass
Whitewater River Indiana State Line to mouth Channel Catfish, One/month Mercury
(Great Miami River) Freshwater Drum,
(Hamilton County) Sauger,
Smallmouth Bass,
Smallmouth Buffalo
White Bass One/month PCBs
Wills Creek All waters Saugeye One/month Mercury
(Muskingum, Coshocton
Counties)
Wills Creek Reservoir All waters Channel Catfish Two/week Mercury
(Muskingum County)
Yellow Creek State Park Mooretown Road, Freshwater Drum One/month Mercury
Bravo, to mouth (Ohio River)
(Jefferson County)
*Chemical that drives the advisory.
PAHs = Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
PCBS=Polychlorinated Biphenyls

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 25 of 31
 2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Do Not Wade or Swim in These Waters

The waters and/or sediments in these areas have high levels of contaminants. It is recommended
that a person not swim or wade in these water body sections.
Body of Water Area Under Advisory Contaminant
Dicks Creek River mile 4.1 (1 mile downstream from North Branch Dicks Creek), PCBs
Middletown to the Great Miami River (Butler County)
Little Scioto River State Route 739, near Marion to Holland Road, near Marion PAHs
(Marion County)
Mahoning River NW Bridge Road (Warren) to Pennsylvania State Line PAHs, PCBs
(Mahoning, Trumbull counties)
PAHs = Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
PCBs = Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Turtle Consumption Advisory

Like fish, turtles can also accumulate contaminates that can be passed on to people who eat turtles.
In general, contamination in turtles tends to be stored in the fat, certain organs, and the eggs of
female turtles. The Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory recommends that anyone eating turtles
should eat only the muscle meat (back straps, neck muscle, etc.). Discard the fat, skin, organs, blood,
and eggs before preparing the meat.
Reason for the Advisory
In 1997, the Ohio EPA collected snapping turtles from six locations and analyzed meat (muscle),
liver and fat tissues for lead, mercury, PCBs, and pesticides as part of a special monitoring project.
Mercury and lead were found in the meat samples taken from four water bodies, resulting in the
advisories below. Meat from snapping turtles collected at one location (see below) had contaminant
concentrations below advisory levels of concern.
PCBs and mercury were found at extremely high concentrations in the turtles collected from the
turtle advisory locations. Avoid eating fat or liver tissue from any snapping turtle caught in Ohio,
particularly from turtles caught at the advisory locations.
Turtle Meal Preparation
If you decide to eat any snapping turtle caught in Ohio, we recommend the following precautions
to reduce your exposure to contaminants that may be present:
1. Lay the turtle on its back shell (carapace).
2. Remove the shell that faces you (the plastron) by carefully cutting through the two bony
ridges on both sides of the turtle between the fore and hind limbs.
3. Carefully remove and discard any fat and eggs present, and all organs, such as the liver and
kidneys. Save only the meat (muscle) for eating.
4. Remove claws from the fore and hind limbs.
5. Remove skin from the neck, tail, and fore and hind limbs.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 26 of 31
2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Ohio Snapping Turtle Advisory

Body of Water Area Under Advisory Meal* Frequency Contaminant

Ashtabula River All waters One/week Mercury
(Ashtabula County)
Black River All waters One/week Mercury
(Lorain County)
Maumee River All waters One/week Mercury
(Defiance, Henry, Lucas, Paulding, Wood
Counties)
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge All waters One/week Lead
(Ottawa County)
Ottawa River All waters DO NOT EAT PCBs
(Lucas County)
*One meal = One serving = 4 ounces uncooked meat
PCBs = Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What health benefits do I get from eating Ohio sport fish?
There are many benefits to including fish (including both fish and shellfish) in a balanced diet for people of
all ages. Fish are high in protein, low in fat, and contain healthy oils called omega-3 fatty acids which are
important during fetal development, and which help prevent heart disease in adults. For more information
on eating fish, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s page on fish recommendations:
www.fda.gov/fishadvice.

Additionally, fishing can be a rewarding hobby that brings people closer to nature, provides a source of
natural food, and can even help with wildlife conservation. For more information on fishing in Ohio, visit
the Ohio Department of Natural Resource’s Fishing Basics page:
https://ohiodnr.gov/wps/portal/gov/odnr/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/about-
ODNR/wildlife/fishing.

2. What is a fish consumption advisory and why is it needed?

A fish consumption advisory is a recommendation to help people eating Ohio-caught fish make educated
choices about: where to fish, what types of fish to eat, how to determine the amount and frequency of fish
they consume, and how to prepare fish for cooking.

While most Ohio sport fish are safe to eat, low levels of harmful chemicals like polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs) and mercury have been found in some fish from certain Ohio waters. To protect the health of anyone
who eats Ohio-caught fish, the Ohio Department of Health offers an advisory for how often these fish can be
safely eaten. A consumption advisory is a recommendation meant to protect people eating Ohio-caught fish
and should not be viewed as law or regulation.

Fish consumption advisories are designed to protect the most at-risk (vulnerable) members of the
population, especially infants, children, and women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become
pregnant. This will also ensure that people who are less at-risk will be protected.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 27 of 31
2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

3. What contaminants are in Ohio sport fish?

Not all fish are contaminated. Contaminants that are found in some Ohio fish include polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs), pesticides, and metals like lead and methyl mercury. The contaminants responsible for
most advisories are PCBs and methyl mercury.

PCBs are man-made oils that were once used to make copying paper and electrical equipment. PCBs break
down very slowly in the environment and build up in fish through the food chain.

Mercury is a metal that occurs in nature. Natural sources of mercury include volcanoes and forest fires, but
it can also enter the environment through human activities like coal-burning power plants. Methyl mercury
is a mercury compound that builds up in fish through the food chain.

4. How do methyl mercury and PCBs affect human health?

The levels of methyl mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) found in Ohio fish are not known to
cause immediate sickness in humans.

Over time, methyl mercury and PCBs can build up in a person’s body. It may take months or years of regularly
eating contaminated fish to build up amounts of contaminants that are a health concern. It takes up to six
years for the body to get rid of PCBs, and up to one year to get rid of mercury after a person stops eating
contaminated fish.

Health problems that may result from the contaminants in fish include birth defects (including
developmental and physical deficits) in newborns of mothers who eat highly contaminated fish for many
years before becoming pregnant. Mercury has been known to cause heart problems in older adults and can
cause problems with the brain and nerves.

5. Who is most at risk of health problems from fish contaminants?

Contaminants in fish can be harmful to people of all ages, but fetuses, infants, and children age 15 and under
are most at-risk because their bodies and organs are still developing. They are less able to deal with toxic
substances than an adult.

Women who plan to become pregnant, women who are pregnant and nursing mothers should be aware of
fish contaminants as it may affect their babies. Women of childbearing age and pregnant or nursing mothers
should consult with their doctors on how to make fish a part of their diet.

6. Why does Ohio have an advisory to only eat one meal of sport fish a week?
Fish taken from rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs throughout Ohio often have small amounts of chemical
contaminants. Limiting the number of sport fish meals eaten ensures that the contaminants do not build up
in your body to levels that may be harmful. Data collected from lakes and rivers in Ohio show a statewide
advisory of one meal per week of most Ohio sport fish is protective.

7. How much fish is a meal?

For an adult, Ohio recommends that an adult should eat 4 to 6 ounces of cooked fish per meal. Serving sizes
for children should be smaller and adjusted for their age and size. Ohio recommends that a child should eat
2 to 3 ounces of cooked fish per meal. For more information on a meal size, see “Serving Size” on page 6.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 28 of 31
2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Based on mercury contamination, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that one meal
(also called a serving) should be 4 ounces for adults. For children 7 years old and younger, the FDA advises
that serving sizes for children should be smaller and adjusted for their age and size, about 2 ounces. For more
information, visit https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/advice-about-eating-fish.

8. Should I stop eating fish?

No. The Ohio Department of Health is only recommending that you stop eating sport fish if there is a Do Not
Eat advisory. Fish with low levels of contaminants are safe to eat, provided the trimming, cooking and meal
frequency advice is followed. The maximum recommended frequencies for eating those fish are included in
the advisory table.

9. Is fish from grocery stores and restaurants safe to eat?

Although the Ohio Sport Fish Advisory is mainly focused on sport fish caught in Ohio waters, the Ohio
Department of Health encourages adding a wide variety of fish to your diet and understands that even people
who fish will often add store-bought or fish from a restaurant to their diet. Most kinds of fish on the market,
including fish from restaurants and grocery stores, are safe to eat and low in contaminants. For more
information on which fish to eat, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s page on fish
recommendations: https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/advice-about-eating-fish.

To find food product recalls involving food regulated by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, including recalls
on fish and seafood, use the Ohio Department of Health’s Food Recalls search tool:
https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/food-safety-program/food-recalls.

10. I ate a serving of fish which the advisory recommends only eating once per month due
to PCBs contamination. Can I also eat a serving of a different kind of fish which the advisory
recommends eating only once per month due to mercury contamination?
Yes. PCBs and mercury affect different body processes, so it is considered safe to eat a serving of fish that has
an advisory due to PCBs as well as a serving of fish that has an advisory due to mercury.

However, you should not regularly eat two servings of fish in a month if they both have a recommendation
to only eat them once per month due to the same contaminant. For example, if you catch a catfish which the
advisory recommends only eating once per month due to mercury and you eat one serving of it, then you
should not eat another serving of that fish during that month. You should also not eat a serving of any other
kind of fish that month that has a once per month advisory due to mercury.

11. What should I do if I eat more than the recommended amount of fish and shellfish in a
week?
The levels of contaminants found in Ohio fish are not known to cause immediate sickness in humans.
Over time, contaminants can build up in a person’s body. It may take months or years of regularly eating
contaminated fish to build up amounts of contaminants that are a health concern. One week of eating too
much fish or shellfish is not likely to cause noticeable health problems.

If you eat too much fish or shellfish in one week, the Ohio Department of Health advises that you reduce the
amount you eat during the following week. For example, the recommendation is that adults should eat no
more than 4 ounces of Ohio sport fish per week. If you eat 8 ounces of Ohio sport fish in one week, then you
should eat none the following week. If you eat 12 ounces of Ohio sport fish in one week, then you should eat
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 29 of 31
2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

none for the following two weeks, and so on.

12. Has the lake or stream where I like to fish been sampled for contaminated fish?
All lakes that have fish with higher levels of contaminants are listed in the Ohio Sport Fish Consumption
Advisory booklet. If you don't see the public lake where you fish in the booklet, then you may safely consume
the fish you catch from the waterbody according to the general advisory.

13. What contaminants are looked for to determine if an advisory is needed?

Ohio’s fish samples are analyzed for several contaminants, most importantly mercury and PCBs which are
responsible for the majority of fish consumption advisories. Samples are also tested for:
• Metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, selenium).
• Pesticides (aldrin, dieldrin, lindane, DDT and its breakdown products, endrin, endosulfan,
heptachlor, methoxychlor, hexachlorobenzene, mirex, and nonachlor).

14. The water where I fish seems dirty, but the fish have been sampled and there is no
advisory. Why isn’t there an advisory?
You cannot tell if a fish advisory is needed by whether a body of water looks or smells dirty.

Because the contaminant levels that Ohio EPA looks for when it samples fish are so small, you cannot see,
smell, or taste them in the water or fish. A body of water and its fish can look clean but actually be
contaminated and require an advisory.

On the other hand, a body of water can look dirty for reasons other than contaminants like PCBs and mercury.
Bacteria and algae (microscopic plants) can cause the water to look discolored, murky, or muddy, or cause a
bad odor. Recent heavy rains can stir up sediment and cause water to look cloudy or brown. Even if this is
the case, a fish advisory may not be needed.

15. How else can I reduce my health risk from contaminants in Ohio sport fish?
Choose smaller fish (within the legal size limit). Smaller fish within a species tend to have fewer contaminants
than older, larger fish.

Choose leaner fish. Fish that are higher in fat (Channel Catfish and Carp, for example) will likely have more
PCBs and other chemical accumulation. Yellow Perch, Sunfish, and Crappies are examples of lean fish.

Trim and cook your fish properly to reduce your risk. When preparing whole fish, trim off the skin and fat to
reduce contaminants. Cook and eat only the fillet. Baking, broiling, or grilling the fish can cook off PCBs, and
these methods won’t add extra unhealthy fats as with frying.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 30 of 31
2021 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory

Contact Us
Ohio Department of Health
(614) 466-1390
[email protected]
www.odh.ohio.gov

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency

(614) 644-2160
[email protected]
www.epa.state.oh.us

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

1-800-WILDLIFE (945-3543)
[email protected]
www.ohiodnr.gov

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Page 31 of 31