Which Chicago-caught fish you can safely eat
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Yes, you can eat fish from Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, but not much. And you should lay off the channel catfish.
The latest: The Illinois Department of Public Health just released its latest fish eating advisory based on contaminants in the water including heavy metals and "forever chemicals."
- So we've created a handy clip-and-save guide on some of the most popular local sport fish and how many you can eat before it becomes a health risk.
Dive in: Local smelt lovers (like Monica) will be sad to learn that Illinois officials advise limiting consumption to one meal a week due to contaminants in Lake Michigan.
What they're saying: "While there is no known immediate health hazard from eating contaminated fish from any Illinois water body, there are concerns about effects of long-term exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and methylmercury in fish," IDPH officials said in a statement.
Zoom in: IDPH issued additional limits, due to PFAS and mercury levels, for Cedar Lake, Chaminwood Lake, Dongola Lake, Dutchman Lake, the Illinois River, Wolf Lake and Indian Creek.
- But advisories were relaxed for the Big Muddy River, Lake Bracken, Monee Reservoir and Randolph County Lake.
Threat level: State officials advise all women who are nursing, pregnant or may become pregnant, and children under 15 to limit consumption of predatory fish (e.g., bass, walleye, salmon) to no more than once a week across Illinois, due to mercury concerns.
For a complete list of consumption limits in more than 100 waterways, check out this state site.