Fish Advisories
Eating Fish During Pregnancy and Childhood
Eating fish can be a delicious, low cost, low fat, and nutritious meal. But eating certain fish can also be harmful, because of the mercury and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) in them.
Pregnant women (and the babies they carry), women who may become pregnant, and children under 15 are most at risk for health problems from these chemicals. Exposure to mercury and PCBs can damage the brains of unborn babies and children, causing slower development and learning problems. Pregnant or breastfeeding women expose their babies to these chemicals when they eat contaminated fish.
Guidelines for Fish Caught from Dane County Lakes and Rivers
Pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding or may become pregnant, and people younger than 15 should follow the guidelines below when choosing to eat fish caught from Dane County lakes and rivers. This does not apply to restaurant or store-bought fish.
In general, smaller and younger fish are less likely to have high levels of mercury or PCBs.