The Illinois Department of Public Health has issued updates to its sport fish consumption advisories. Five new bodies of water are now included, while six existing advisories have been revised, focusing mainly on exposure to mercury and PFAS chemicals. Health officials note that four advisories have been relaxed, reflecting improved conditions. Despite these changes, a statewide warning remains in place for methylmercury in predatory fish, urging certain groups—such as pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children—to limit their intake. These updates aim to help Illinois anglers make safer choices about eating locally caught fish and protect public health.
“Fishing in Illinois is a terrific recreational activity that often leads to delicious and nutritious meals,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “To make sure those catches are the safest possible, please visit IDPH’s Fish Advisory Map to get the most up to date information on Illinois’s consumption advisories.”
Additional details on the specific changes can be found at this link. IDPH maintains an interactive Fish Advisory Map that includes consumption advisories for more than 100 publicly accessible bodies of water across the state. The advisories detail how frequently certain types of fish from various waterways can be eaten without posing a health risk. More information can be found at Fish Advisories (illinois.gov).
