Fish, especially fatty fish such as salmon and lake trout, are a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids which helps brain function. Omega-3 has also been linked to cardiovascular health. The American Heart Association recommends eating at least two servings of fish a week and offers good advice on the risk vs. benefits of eating fish. Some fish, especially older and larger predatory fish, contain high levels of mercury and/or PCBs. These contaminants can adversely effect fetal and infant development, so women and young children are advised against eating these fish, especially from certain water sources. Fortunately, many of the lakes in our region, including Seneca and Cayuga Lakes, do not have chemical contamination warnings and can be consumed weekly as part of a nutritious meal. Below is a chart from the NYS Department of Health about eating sport fish which specifically shows waters that have contamination concerns in the Finger Lakes Region. Eating a variety of species per month is also recommended.
Finger Lakes Region
Water [*] (County) | Species | Advice | Chemical(s) of Concern |
---|---|---|---|
Canadice Lake [10] (Ontario) | Lake trout over 23″ | Don’t eat | PCBs |
Brown trout and smaller lake trout | Eat up to one meal per month | PCBs | |
Chenango River [34] | Walleye over 22″ | Eat up to one meal per month | Mercury |
Irondequoit Bay [9] (Monroe) | Carp | Don’t eat | PCBs, Mirex |
Keuka Lake [11] (Yates & Steuben) | Lake trout over 25″ | Eat up to one meal per month | DDT |
Koppers Pond [12] (Chemung) | Carp | Eat up to one meal per month | PCBs |
Lake Ontario[8]- Whole lakeHarvest/possession of Lake Ontario American eel is prohibited per NYS DEC Regulations. | Channel catfish, carp, lake trout over 25″ and brown trout over 20″ | Don’t eat | PCBs, Mirex, Dioxin |
Chinook salmon, rainbow trout, white sucker, smaller lake trout, smaller brown trout and coho salmon over 25″ | Eat up to one meal per month | PCBs, Mirex, Dioxin | |
– West of Point Breeze | White perch | Don’t eat | PCBs, Mirex, Dioxin |
– East of Point Breeze | White perch | Eat up to one meal per month | PCBs, Mirex, Dioxin |
Onondaga Lake [14] (Onondaga) | Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass over 15″ and walleye | Don’t eat | Mercury, PCBs |
Carp, channel catfish and white perch | Don’t eat | PCBs, Mercury, Dioxin | |
All fish not listed | Eat up to one meal per month | Mercury, PCBs | |
Brown bullhead and pumpkinseed | Eat up to four meals per month | Mercury, PCBs | |
Rushford Lake [7] (Allegany) | Walleye | Eat up to one meal per month | Mercury |
Seneca River[15]- Downstream of Lock 24 at Baldwinsville | See Onondaga Lake | ||
Skaneateles Creek[13]- From dam at Skaneateles to Seneca River (Onondaga) | Brown trout over 10″ | Eat up to one meal per month | PCBs |
Susquehanna River [35] | Walleye over 22″ | Eat up to one meal per month | Mercury |
All waters not listed above in the Finger Lakes Region: All ages men, women and children | All fish species | Eat up to four meals per month |
Note: The specific advisories for the waters listed above also apply to tributaries and connected waters if there are no barriers to stop the fish from crossing, such as dams or falls.