Most Ohio sport fish are safe to eat ONE MEAL PER WEEK, unless there is a more or less restrictive advisory outlined in the Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory. 

ODH issues this general statewide advisory due to low-level mercury contamination.

The one meal per week advisory protects sensitive populations, including women of child-bearing age and children under the age of 15.

Local Activities

CCBH initiated several fish consumption surveys and information gathering in 2015 and 2016. In 2017 and 2018, these were followed up by more extensive surveys and related research, in conjunction with Case Western Reserve University students and faculty,  to obtain a better understanding of anglers’ practices, fish preparation and consumption methods and knowledge of fish contaminants.

It was determined that some Northeast Ohio anglers rely on the fish they catch in Lake Erie and its tributaries as a major source of protein. Anglers were from many cultural and economic backgrounds.

In some cases,  it was a challenge to obtain accurate replies to survey questions due to language barriers.

Details about anglers’ responses and related facts identified through the surveys and research are available by clicking here.