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  1. Public Health
  2. Environmental Health
  3. Beaches, Lakes & Pools
  4. Protecting Lake Water Quality
  5. Fish Advisories

Fish Advisories

Fish on cutting boardEating 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. 

  • Dane County fish consumption advisories
  • Perfluorinated compounds in fish from Wisconsin's major rivers and Great Lakes (WI DNR) 

Beaches, Lakes & Pools

  • Beach Water Quality
  • Blue-Green Algae Precautions
  • How We Monitor Beach Water Quality
  • Protecting Lake Water Quality
    • Fish Advisories
    • Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
  • Pool Licensing & Operator Resources

Contact Us

Environmental Health
2300 S. Park St. Suite 2010
Madison, WI 53713

  • Phone: (608) 242-6515
  • Email: health@publichealthmdc.com
  • Español: (608) 243-0380
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Public Health Madison & Dane County

Office Location & Hours

  • Main Phone: (608) 266-4821
  • Environmental Health Phone:
    (608) 242-6515
  • Fax: (608) 266-4858
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    City of Madison, Wisconsin
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    County of Dane, Wisconsin

Healthy People. Healthy Places.

Public Health Services are available to all residents and visitors of Madison and Dane County. Citizenship is not a requirement. We provide services regardless of a person's race, color, gender/gender expression, ability, religion, sexual orientation or place of birth/place of residence.

Our Mission


Working with the community to enhance, protect, and promote the health of the environment and the well being of all people.


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