Fish Consumption Advisories

Why are fish advisories important?

Eating fish is part of a healthy diet. Fish are good sources of lean protein, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Fish from all waterbodies around Kentucky can carry contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and mercury. These chemicals can impact human health, particularly for sensitive populations. Fish consumption advisories do not ban eating fish; they are a guide on how often fish from Kentucky waters should be eaten and a resource to help people reduce risk and make informed decisions. Most fish are healthy to eat.

Consumption advisories do not affect those who swim, ski, or boat in Kentucky waters.

How to use a fish consumption advisory

Follow the steps below to retain the health benefits of eating fish while lowering your exposure to contaminants.

1. Follow the statewide guidance for catches across Kentucky.
2. Next, check the list of waterbodies to see if your catch has additional restrictive guidance.
3. Clean and cook fish properly to reduce exposure to contaminants.

• Fillet the fish, remove the skin, and trim all fat.
• Do not eat fish eggs.
• Broil, grill, or bake the fillets instead of frying or microwaving.
• Do not eat or reuse juices or fats that cook out of the fish.

Statewide Guidance

All Kentucky waters are under an advisory for mercury. This is not an emergency, as organic mercury can occur naturally in the environment and fish can accumulate low levels of mercury by eating plankton and other small aquatic creatures.

In late 2021, testing began to evaluate the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in fish from state waters. Sampling is ongoing across the state to collect data to inform additional guidance relating to PFAS and fish consumption. In the meantime, to lower potential health risks associated with PFAS, the agencies recommend that citizens follow existing statewide fish consumption guidance for mercury and any site-specific advisories.

Recent information from the U.S. EPA indicates that infants and young children may be particularly sensitive to some health effects associated with PFAS. In the interim while staff collect additional data and information, sensitive populations may want to exercise additional caution when making choices on the frequency and quantity of fish consumed from state waters. For additional information on PFAS, visit DEP's PFAS webpage.

One meal is considered to be 1/2 pound of fish (uncooked) eaten by a 150-pound individual. Following these guidelines and spacing your meals of fish will limit your health risks by reducing your total exposure.

Predatory fish includes Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, White Bass and Striped Bass and their hybrids, Yellow Bass, Flathead Catfish, Blue Catfish, Muskellunge, Sauger and Walleye and their hybrids, Bowfin, Chain Pickerel, and all Gar species.

Panfish includes Bluegill, Green Sunfish, Longear Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Rock Bass, and Crappie species.

Bottom feeder fish includes Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Drum, Bullhead species, Buffalo species, Carpsucker species, White Sucker, Spotted Sucker, Northern Hog Sucker, Redhorse species, Sturgeon species, and Creek Chub.

Other fish includes Invasive Carp, Trout species*, Minnows, etc.

*While there is no advisory for the general population for fish in the "other fish" category, Brown Trout over 17 inches are more predatory and have the potential to build up higher contaminant levels when compared to smaller Brown Trout.