MADISON, Wis. (WSAU-WXPR) — The Wisconsin DNR has released an updated fish consumption guide to avoid poisoning.
The advisory helps the public know about toxins that gather in the flesh of fish and what it might mean from a health standpoint says Candy Schrank, a DNR toxicologist.
Advice for some inland lakes and impoundments, where mercury is the primary fish contaminant, was also updated. Fish consumption advice varies by location and species of fish and ranges from unrestricted or one serving per week to “do not eat.”
Schrank said, “For northern Wisconsin we’re adding some more stringent advice for some fish. The fish consumption advice for some species will change for a number of lakes, like Long Lake in Oneida County.”
Schrank says the latest fish consumption advisory reflects new results for fish collected mostly in the last two years from 32 locations and considers results from bordering states and the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.
According to Schrank, mercury is the principal problem in Wisconsin.
“Mercury can be found in any fish, pretty much anywhere in the world. It’s just that in some locations some species like walleye or northern pike and muskie can accumulate more mercury because of how they grow and they eat other fish,” she said.
The guide is available through the DNR’s website.
By Ken Krall, WXPR.
