Updated April 2025
MDH updates the consumption guidelines due to substances by and polyfluoroalkyle (PFAS) found in fish from certain water terminals in the metropolitan region of twin cities as well as in the counties of Douglas, Martin, McLeod and St. Louis and Lac Superior. Updated directives focus mainly on PFAS data, but are also protective for mercury and polychloric biphenyls (PCB).
Update of Lake Supérieur: With the updated examination of PFAS data, MDH determined that rainbow fusion in the upper lake can be consumed more frequently up to one portion per week from a portion per month.
MAP: Updates of fish consumption advice in certain water terminals affected by county (April 2025)
He can take years to eat fish regularly to accumulate PFA levels in your body before it becomes a health problem. MDH used data from fish contaminants and updated methods to better inform fish consumers about contamination of PFAS fish and how you can reduce your exhibitions. For some water strings, MDH recommends that certain fish be consumed in limited quantities or are not at all consumed.
If you plan to fish in a lake in one of these counties, And if you plan to eat the fish you catch, check Lakefinder On the website of the Ministry of Natural Resources (DNR) to see if there is a fish consumption directive in force for this lake. Lakefinder includes fish consumption advice for all minnesota lakes.
If you plan to eat fish from a river in one of these counties, Consult the update list of Specific Waterbody guidelines For rivers at Guidance of fish consumption website.
MDH fish consumption guidelines aim to provide Minnesotans with the information they need to make informed choices for the health and safety of their family.
Fish consumption advice depend on:
- Where you caught the fish. Some bodes have specific guidelines for the body of water due to high levels of PFA, Mercury or PCB.
- Who you are. Some people are more sensitive than others with negative effects on the health of exposure to PFAs. APFA, including VOs, accumulation in people over time, with high exposure and health effects on human development. This means that pregnancy, early childhood and childhood all represent specific stages of concern for exhibitions to PFAs. The most sensitive groups include people who are or could become pregnant, those who breastfeed or plan to breastfeed and children under the age of 15.
- Fish species. The maximum number of portions recommended per week or per month may vary depending on the species of fish captured in the same body of water.
The updated guidelines focus attention on the water pools in Minnesota with the highest PFA levels in fish. Categories for fish consumption guidelines (PDF) Now use lower (stricter) thresholds for a type of PFAS, the perfluorooactane (SPFO) sulfonate, for sensitive populations; Respond to the contamination of PFAS between fish species, while facilitating the directives to follow; And report the mixtures of PFAS.
Eating fish is just a way people are exposed to the PFAS. PFAs are present in many consumer products, environments, workplaces and houses. Minnesota has been taking action to eliminate PFA for many years. While we learn more about PFAS in fish, MDH will update fish consumption advice if necessary.
More information on reducing exposure to PFASs can be found here::
April 24 Fish consumption guidance webinar
The fish consumption orientation program invites you to join you on Thursday April 24, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. for a presentation on the updated advice of April 2025. The webinar is intended for communities affected by the updated directives. Register for the Fish consumption guidance webinar.
This webinar will be offered in English. If you need other accommodation or translation, please contact us at Health.fish@state.mn.us.