Current South Dakota Fish Consumption Advisories

Fish in South Dakota lakes and rivers are tested for metals, pesticides, and PCB's as a collaborative effort of the South Dakota Departments of Game, Fish & Parks, Environment & Natural Resources, and Health. The following fish consumption advisories are currently in effect.

• Healthy adults - healthy adults should limit consumption of this fish to no more than one 7 oz. meal per week (7 oz. is equal to two medium-size portions or roughly the size of two decks of playing cards)
• High risk groups - women who plan to become pregnant, are pregnant, or are breast-feeding should eat no more than one 7-oz. meal of this fish per month.
• Children under age 7 should eat no more than one 4-oz. meal of this fish per month. (4oz. is equal to one medium-size portion or roughly the size of one deck of playing cards)

NOTE: Regarding fish from freshwater lakes, ponds, and streams where mercury levels are not currently known, the Environmental Protection Agency makes the following recommendation:

If you are pregnant or could become pregnant, are nursing a baby, or if you are feeding a young child, limit consumption of freshwater fish caught by family and friends to one meal per week. For adults one meal is six ounces of cooked fish or eight ounces uncooked fish; for a young child one meal is two ounces cooked fish or three ounces uncooked fish.

In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued advice on mercury in fish bought from stores and restaurants, which includes ocean and coastal fish as well as other types of commercial fish. FDA advises that women who are pregnant or could become pregnant, nursing mothers and young children not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish. FDA also advises that women of childbearing age and pregnant women may eat an average of 12 ounces of fish purchased in stores and restaurants each week. Therefore, if in a given week you eat 12 ounces of cooked fish from a store or restaurant, then do not eat fish caught by your family or friends that week. This is important to keep the total level of methylmercury contributed by all fish at a low level in your body.

News Releases

• North Island Lake - 8/11/2006
• Roosevelt Lake - 2/24/2004
• Lake Hurley - 8/20/2003
• W. Hwy 81/Twin Lakes - 5/30/2003
• Lake Isabel - 7/16/2002; 11/14/2002
• Bitter Lake - 3/30/2000; 4/13/2000; 4/26/2000

Related links

• South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks consumption advisory information
• South Dakota Department of Health - Mercury and Fish Consumption
• United States Geological Survey
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
• Food and Drug Administration
  • An Important Message for Pregnant Women and Women of Childbearing Age Who May Become Pregnant about the Risks of Mercury in Fish
• Environmental Protection Agency - What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish