Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has released updated consumption advisories for sport fish caught in the state's waters. These advisories stem from routine testing by the Illinois Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program, which now includes checks for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals."

This year's expanded testing has led to advisories for nine bodies of water. A "Do Not Eat" advisory is in place for all fish in Franklin Creek in Lee County and related ponds within the Franklin Creek State Natural Area due to elevated PFAS levels.

Additionally, the updated advisories suggest limited consumption of certain fish from other Illinois waterways because of PFAS. Fish from Lake Zurich, Crab Orchard Lake, and Wolf Lake should be consumed no more than once a month. For certain species in Lake Michigan, Waukegan North Harbor, Sycamore Lake, Midlothian Reservoir, and Chicago River, the recommendation is one meal per week. Further details on PFAS are available in the Illinois PFAS Advisories Fact Sheet.

“Fishing in Illinois waters is a great recreational activity that often leads to delicious meals,” stated IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “To make sure each of those catches are safe and healthy, please visit our Fish Advisory Map to get the most up-to-date information on Illinois’s consumption advisories.”

Besides PFAS, the fish consumption advisories address polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) and methylmercury presence. PCB levels have been declining statewide; thus, PCB advisories were relaxed for some species in Lake Michigan and Midlothian Reservoir and removed for others in Lake Michigan, Crab Orchard Lake, Midlothian Reservoir, Sangamon River, and Illinois River.

More restrictive methylmercury advisories have been issued for certain species in the Ohio River and Little Wabash River watershed. Site-specific advisories were lifted from Midlothian Reservoir and Lake Zurich.

A statewide methylmercury advisory continues for all Illinois waters. It advises nursing mothers, pregnant women or those who may become pregnant, and children under 15 years old to limit predatory fish consumption (e.g., bass, walleye, salmon) to one meal per week.

IDPH offers an interactive Fish Advisory Map covering over 100 publicly accessible bodies of water across Illinois. Although there is no immediate health hazard from consuming contaminated fish from any state water body, concerns remain about long-term exposure effects to PCBs, PFAS, and methylmercury found in fish. More information can be accessed at Fish Advisories (illinois.gov).