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Indiana

Fishing

Fishing

Fish Consumption

Is it Safe to Eat Caught Fish?

Eating recreationally caught fish from Indiana waters can be a healthy, tasty part of your diet when you have the proper guidance. Because fish is lean in protein and low in saturated fat, it is a major source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, selenium, and other vitamins and minerals. Consuming fish maintains heart health, aids in healthy brain function, promotes bone health, and supports fetal development. While fish is a part of a healthy diet, it should be consumed in moderation, as some fish may contain chemicals which could lead to negative health outcomes.

Indiana has developed recommendations for the consumption of recreationally caught fish to help individuals make informed, healthy decisions about eating the fish that they catch. To ensure safe eating for both wild-caught and commercial fish, consult the full Indiana fish consumption guidelines at on.IN.gov/FishConsumption.

Health Considerations

The Indiana fish consumption guidelines are driven by two primary contaminants: mercury and PCBs. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), which is a chemical in the per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) family, and pesticides are also considered when issuing guidelines.

These contaminants persist in the environment at low levels. While these low levels of contaminants do not pose a health risk in humans from direct contact with water bodies, they can accumulate in fish tissue over time. Similarly, the contaminants can accumulate in human tissue through the consumption of fish, potentially building to levels that pose a health risk.

Who is Most at Risk?

Anyone can be affected by chemicals found in certain fish; however, those most at risk for harmful health effects include individuals who are/could become pregnant or breastfeeding, and children under the age of 15.

What Should I Catch?

Some fish may contain higher levels of chemicals than others. Panfish and younger, smaller fish are generally less contaminated than larger fish of the same species. Indiana’s fish consumption guidelines are rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being “unrestricted consumption” and 5 being “do not eat.”

Where Should I Fish?

Eating fish from lakes and reservoirs is generally less of a concern than eating fish from rivers and streams. You can protect yourself by following recommendations provided in the fish consumption guidelines and fishing in waterbodies that have been tested for environmental contaminants. If a waterbody you are fishing does not have an advisory, or the advisory does not include information on the fish species you plan to eat, follow the Indiana Statewide Safe Eating Guidelines.

How Do I Prepare My Fish?

Fish should be cooked until they are flaky, opaque, and 145°F. To cut your fish, cut away the fat along the back, the fatty area along the side, and the belly fat.

How Much Fish Should I Eat?

A fish meal serving size is about 6 ounces of cooked wild-caught or commercial fish for a 150-pound person. To adjust meal serving size for a heavier or lighter weight person, add or subtract 1 ounce of fish for every 20 pounds of body weight.

Fish Consumption Guidelines Interactive Map

The Indiana Fish Consumption Guidelines are available as a mobile friendly, interactive map at on.IN.gov/FishConsumption. Users can search by address, body of water, or county to find guidelines.

Wild Fish Consumption Guidelines Groups

Group

Meal Frequency Categories

1

Unrestricted consumption

2

1 meal per week

3

1 meal per month

4

1 meal every 2 months

5

Do not eat

State Waters Carrying
Do-Not-Eat Guidelines for All Species

Water

County

Elliot Ditch

Tippecanoe

Government Ditch/Little Deer Creek

Cass

Grand Calumet River/Indiana Harbor Canal

Lake

Kokomo Creek

Howard/Tipton

Little Sugar Creek/Walnut Fork

Montgomery

Salt Creek

Lawrence/Monroe to Monroe Lake Dam

Marquette Lagoon (West Basin)

Lake

Wea Creek

Tippecanoe

Wildcat Creek

Howard/Carroll: Downstream from the Waterworks Dam in Kokomo to the Tippecanoe County line

Major Lakes & Rivers with Group 4 & 5 Species Guidelines*

Water

County

Species

Size (inches)

Group

Clear Lake

LaPorte

Common Carp

All

5

Largemouth Bass

All

4

East Fork White River

Daviess/Dubois/Lawrence/Martin

Largemouth Bass

All

4

Lake James Chain (James, Snow, Jimmerson, Big & Little Otter)

Steuben

Northern Pike

All

5**

Mississinewa River

Randolph

Channel Catfish

All

5

Common Carp

30+

4

Delaware/Grant/Miami/Wabash

Flathead Catfish

29+

4

Muscatatuck River

Jackson/Washington

Channel Catfish

18+

4

St. Joseph River

St. Joseph (Baugo Bay Area to the Twin Branch Dam)

Channel Catfish

20+

4

St. Joseph (Twin Branch Dam to IN/MI State Line)

Channel Catfish

All

5

Common Carp

All

5

Redhorse Species

All

4

Sugar Creek

Parke County to Wabash River

Flathead Catfish

All

4

Wabash River

Fountain/Parke/Tippecanoe/Vermillion/Warren

Carpsucker
Species

All

4

West Fork White River

Delaware/Hamilton (to Stony Creek)/Madison

Channel Catfish

All

5

Marion (downstream of Broad Ripple Dam)/Morgan

Flathead Catfish

23+

4

Lake Michigan Fish Consumption Guidelines

Species

Meal Frequency

Bloater Chubs

One meal per month

Brown Trout

One meal per month

Chinook Salmon

One meal per month

Coho Salmon*

One meal per month

Lake Trout*

Up to 23" One meal per week

23–29" One meal per month

29"+ Do Not Eat

Lake Whitefish

One meal per week

Rainbow Smelt

One meal per week

Rainbow Trout

One meal per week

Yellow Perch

One meal per week

Ohio River Fish Consumption Guidelines

Species

Meal Frequency

Largemouth Bass*

Smallmouth Bass*

Spotted Bass*

One meal per month

Blue Catfish

One meal per week

Channel Catfish*

Up to 18"
One meal per week

18"+ Six meals per year

Common Carp*

One meal per week

Crappie Species

One meal per week

Flathead Catfish

One meal per month

Freshwater Drum

One meal per month

Hybrid Striped Bass

Six meals per year

Sauger

One meal per week

Striped Bass*

One meal per month

Sucker Species

One meal per month

Walleye/Saugeye*

One meal per month

White Bass

One meal per month