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Fish Consumption Advisory

Fish Consumption Advisory

The Connecticut Department of Public Health issues a yearly advisory for reducing fish consumption when chemical levels in fish tissue are unsafe. Fish from Connecticut waters are a good, low cost source of protein. Unfortunately, fish can build up chemicals in their bodies such as mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) that may be contaminants in the water. Eating these fish may affect your family’s health. The following fact sheets provide information about the advisory, and how to eat fish safely.

For more information call: 860-509-7740

Or toll free: 877-458-FISH (3474)

News Releases

Technical Information

Fact Sheets

A Supermarket Guide to Fish consumption

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Visual Examples of Fish Species Noted In CT Fish Consumption Advisory

Illustration of a brown bullhead catfish with a mottled brown and yellow body, flat head, and whisker-like barbels.
Brown bullhead catfish identified by its dark mottled body and barbels. Common in freshwater lakes and slow-moving rivers across North America.

Brown Bullhead

Illustration of a yellow bullhead catfish, showing its smooth, yellowish-brown body, rounded tail, and long barbels near the mouth.
Yellow bullhead catfish – a freshwater species identified by its yellow-brown body, rounded tail fin, and distinctive whisker-like barbels. Commonly found in slow-moving rivers and lakes.

Yellow Bullhead

Black Bullhead, Bullheads (and catfish) from Brewster Pond in Stratford should not be eaten. People in the High Risk Group should not eat Bullheads and catfish from the Housatonic River.

Illustration of a striped bass with a silver body and distinct horizontal black stripes running from head to tail.
Striped bass – a popular game fish recognized by its silver body and bold horizontal stripes. Commonly found in coastal waters and estuaries.

Striped Bass

Illustration of a bluefish with a sleek, silver-blue body and forked tail, known for its aggressive feeding behavior.
Bluefish – a fast, powerful predator with a bluish-silver body and sharp teeth, commonly found in Atlantic coastal waters.

Bluefish

Bluefish over 25 inches and Striped Bass caught in Long Island Sound and connected rivers should not be eaten by people in the High Risk Group.

Illustration of a brown trout with a golden-brown body and black and red spots along its sides, commonly found in cold freshwater streams and rivers.
Brown trout – a popular freshwater game fish recognized by its golden hue and black and red spotting, thriving in cool, clean waters.

Brown Trout

These fish are generally safe to eat because they are stocked and fished regularly . People in the High Risk Group should eat smaller trout (under 15 inches).

Illustration of a common carp with large golden scales, a slightly humped back, and barbels on either side of its mouth—an invasive species in many freshwater ecosystems.
Common carp – an introduced freshwater fish known for its golden scales and bottom-feeding habits, often impacting native aquatic habitats.

Carp

Carp caught in the Housatonic River should not be eaten by anyone. People in the High Risk Group should not eat carp caught in the Connecticut River.

Illustration of a largemouth bass with a greenish body, horizontal stripe, and a large mouth that extends past the eye—popular freshwater game fish.
Largemouth bass – a widely targeted freshwater sportfish known for its aggressive strikes and distinctive jaw that extends beyond the eye.

Large Mouth Bass

Illustration of a smallmouth bass with a bronze-green body and vertical banding—recognized by its smaller mouth that does not extend past the eye.
Smallmouth bass – a popular freshwater sportfish known for its strong fight, bronze coloring, and vertical stripes along the body.

Small Mouth Bass

Large and Smallmouth Bass caught in the following lakes should not be eaten by people in the High Risk Group:

  • Dodge Pond -East Lyme
  • Lake McDonough - Barkhamsted
  • Silver Lake - Berlin/Meriden
  • Lake Wyassup - North Stonington
  • Quinnipiac River - above Quinnipiac Gorge

In addition, people in the high risk group should not eat any Bass from the Housatonic River.

Illustration of an American eel with a long, slender, snake-like body and a continuous dorsal fin running along its back.
American eel – a catadromous fish with an elongated body, found in both freshwater and saltwater habitats across North America.

American Eel

Eels caught in the Housatonic River should not be eaten.

For More Information:

  • Health Questions? Contact The Department of Health: (860) 509-7740 or toll-free at 1-(877)-458-FISH (3474)
  • Fishing in CT Questions? Contact The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection: (860) 424-3474
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