What fish are safe to eat in St. Clair County? Here's what Michigan health department says
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has released a guide on what fish are safe to eat, if you should limit servings and what fish to keep off your plate.
The 2025 Eat Safe Fish Guide provides Michigan residents with safety information for fish in popular fishing locations. Each year, MDHHS tests fish to determine what chemicals are present in those fish, including polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as "forever chemicals."
"Using the ESF Guide and following the MI Serving suggestions will keep you from getting too many chemicals in your body at once," the guide states in its FAQ section. "Scientists set the limits in the ESF Guide so that you are protected from possible health problems from the chemicals, no matter how long they stay in your body."
The guide includes sections on each county, including St. Clair County, a popular fishing destination. The guide breaks the portions of fish down by species and what body of water it comes from.
Summer fun: The coolest places to beat the heat in the Blue Water Area
More: Is it too cold to swim in Lake Huron? What to know if you want to dip your toes in the water
Type of Fish
Chemicals of Concern
Size of Fish (inches)
MI Servings per Month
Blue Gill
PFOS
Any
2
Rock Bass
PFOS/PFOS and Mercury
Under 7 inches/over 7 inches
2 (regardless of size)
Sunfish
PFOS
Any
2
Yellow Perch
PFOS
Any
2
Type of Fish
Chemicals of Concern
Size of Fish (inches)
MI Servings per Month
Bluegill
PFOS
Any
Do not eat
Largemouth Bass
PFOS
Any
Do not eat
Rock Bass
PFOS
Any
6 per year
Smallmouth Bass
PFOS
Any
Do not eat
Suckers
PFOS
Any
1
Sunfish
PFOS
Any
Do not eat
Yellow Perch
PFOS
Any
2
Type of Fish
Chemicals of Concern
Size of Fish (inches)
MI Servings per Month
Rock Bass
PFOS
Any
Do not eat
Type of Fish
Chemicals of Concern
Size of Fish (inches)
MI Servings per Month
Bluegill
PFOS
Any
Do not eat
Sunfish
PFOS
Any
Do not eat
Type of Fish
Chemicals of Concern
Size of Fish (inches)
MI Servings per Month
Bluegill
PFOS
Any
4
Sunfish
PFOS
Any
4
Type of Fish
Chemicals of Concern
Size of Fish (inches)
MI Servings per Month
Rock Bass
PFOS
Any
Do not eat
Type of Fish
Chemicals of Concern
Size of Fish (inches)
MI Servings per Month
Black Crappie
Mercury
Under 9 inches/over 9
8 servings/ 4 servings
Bluegill
PFOS
Any
6 per year
Carp
PCBs
Any
Limited*
Catfish
Dioxins
Any
Limited
Freshwater Drum
Mercury, PFBs
Any
2
Largemouth Bass
PFOS
Any
6 per year
Muskellunge
Mercury
Any
Do not eat
Northern Pike
Mercury
Any
2
Rock Bass
PCBs
Any
1
Smallmouth Bass
PFOS
Any
6 per year
Sturgeon
PCBs
Any
Limited
Sunfish
PFOS
Any
6 per year
Walleye
Dioxins, PCBs, PFOS
Any
6 per year
White (Silver) Bass
PCBs
Any
Limited
White Crappie
Mercury
Under 9 inches/ over 9
8 servings/ 4 servings
Yellow Perch
Mercury
Any
4
Type of Fish
Chemicals of Concern
Size of Fish (inches)
MI Servings per Month
Black Crappie
PFOS
Any
Do not eat
Bluegill
PFOS
Any
Do not eat
Carp
PFOS
Any
Do not eat
Rock Bass
PFOS
Any
Do not eat
Sunfish
PFOS
Any
Do not eat
White Crappie
PFOS
Any
Do not eat
Other Species
PFOS
Any
Do not eat
Type of Fish
Chemicals of Concern
Size of Fish (inches)
MI Servings per Month
Carp
PCBs
Any
Limited
Freshwater Drum
Mercury, PCBs
Any
2
Largemouth Bass
Mercury, PFOS/Mercury
Under 18/over 18
2 servings/ 1 serving
Rock Bass
PFOS
Any
2
Smallmouth Bass
Mercury, PFOS / Mercury
Under 18/over 18
2 servings/1 serving
Sturgeon
PCBs
Any
2
Walleye
Dioxins, PCBs, PFOS
Any
Limited
White Bass
PCBs
Any
6 per year
Yellow Perch
PFOS
Any
4
Type of Fish
Chemicals of Concern
Size of Fish (inches)
MI Servings per Month
Bluegill
PFOS
Any
Do not eat
Sunfish
PFOS
Any
Do not eat
Other species
PFOS
Any
Do not eat
Type of Fish
Chemicals of Concern
Size of Fish (inches)
MI Servings per Month
Atlantic Salmon
Dioxins
Any
2
Brown Trout
PCBs
Any
6 per year
Carp
Dioxins, PCBs
Any
Do not eat
Catfish
Dioxins
Any
Limited
Chinook Salmon
PCBs
Any
6 per year
Coho Salmon
PCBs
Any
6 per year
Freshwater Drum
Mercury
Any
1
Lake Herring
PFOS
Any
2
Lake Trout
Dioxins, PCBs
Under 20/20-24/0ver 24
1 serving/6 per year/Limited
Lake Whitefish
Dioxins
Any
6 per year
Northern Pike
PCBs
Any
1
Rainbow Trout
PFOS
Any
1
Smelt
PFOS
Any
2
Steelhead
PFOS
Any
1
Suckers
PCBs
Any
2
Walleye
Dioxins
Any
6 per year
White (Silver) Bass
Dioxins, PCBs
Any
Limited
White Perch
PCBs
Any
6 per year
Yellow Perch
Dioxins
Any
2
More outdoor news: No license needed. How to fish for free in Michigan this weekend
Fish recommended for limited servings are recommended to not be eaten by children under 15, anyone with health problems, or people who are pregnant or plan to have kids.
The department notes in its guide that its serving are only suggestions, and that eating more than the recommended amount does not guarantee the fish will make a person sick. For anyone else the guide recommends only one or two servings per year.
More information, including how each concerning chemical can affect those who eat fish and what fish are safe in each Great Lake are safe to eat are available in the guide on the department's website.
Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Michigan Dept Health Human Services releases guide on safe fish eating
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