Guidelines for Eating Fish 

• Federal and State agencies suggest limits for how much locally-caught fish people should eat. Limits are lower on many fish for children and women who are or may become pregnant, than they are for men. These advisories exist because of mercury and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminants found in fish. Check out the Wisconsin DNR Fishing Wisconsin website for more information about potential contaminants in fish caught from Wisconsin waters.

• Several reference guides concerning safe fish consumption are available, including the City of Milwaukee Health Department  2013 Guidelines for Eating Fish from Milwaukee Waters with recommendations specific to Milwaukee area residents. 

• In addition, the Wisconsin DNR has issued their 2024 Choose Wisely: A Health Guide for Choosing Fish in Wisconsin available for review or print. They have also produced the Fish Consumption Advice for the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern guide for fish information regarding the Milwaukee region.

• The FDA and EPA issue advice about how much store-bought fish (generally ocean-caught) to eat. Mercury is the contaminant of concern in ocean-caught fish. Click here for the most up to date guidance from the FDA.