The 2008 Michigan Family Fish Consumption Guide provides advice on selecting fish safe to eat from Michigan rivers, inland lakes, and the surrounding Great Lakes. The guide has length and species-specific advice for individual Michigan waters. The advice is based on test results conducted on the fillet (edible portion) of the fish.

Young children, especially an unborn fetus, are at greatest risk if exposed too much of the chemicals that buildup in fish. Women of childbearing age and young children who regularly eat sport-caught fish from Michigan waters are strongly encouraged to follow the guide's advice. The guide also provides advice on eating safe fish for adult men and women beyond childbearing.

In addition to the fish and water body specific advice, the guide provides protective advice for the fish consumer who only occasionally eats sport-caught fish, such as:

• Always cook and clean the fish in a manner that removes the fat from the meat. Removing the fat removes many of the unwanted chemicals, except for mercury. Mercury is found in the meat of the fish.
• Eat different types of fish from a variety of sources. Eating different types of fish from different locations reduces the chance of getting several meals of fish that are not safe to eat.

This simple advice is explained in more detail in two additional brochures available from the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH):

• A Family Guide to Eating Fish: Cooking and cleaning methods to remove chemicals other than mercury.
• Avoid Mercury in Fish and Seafood: Shopping & Restaurant Guide: A list of purchased fish that contain mercury

To obtain any of these guides or for more information about Michigan's Fish Consumption Advisory call MDCH toll free at 1-800-648-6942 or go to www.michigan.gov/mdch-toxics.