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Eating Fish from Michigan's Lakes and Rivers

Eating Fish from Michigan's Lakes and Rivers

Going Fishing? Let’s Get Started!

Michigan has over 11,000 inland lakes, rivers and streams and the longest freshwater coastline in the country. All of this water offers us a variety of fish that are fun to catch and great to eat. Click the links below to learn more about eating safe fish.

Learn how to fish at a free fishing class provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The Eat Safe Fish in Michigan brochure gives a basic overview of eating safe fish.

Get to Know the 3Cs so you can reduce your exposure to chemicals found in fish.

The Eat Safe Fish Guides

Cover of the Eat Safe Fish Guide

The ESF Guides can be used to find guidelines for eating fish found in water bodies across Michigan. The fish listed under each lake or river in the ESF Guides have been tested for chemicals. Scientists from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) use the test results from the edible portions to determine how much fish is safe to eat per month.

To get a physical copy of the ESF Guide mailed to you, contact MDHHS at 800-648-6942.

Learn more about how MDHHS creates the ESF Guides in our Making the Eat Safe Fish Guides factsheet.

Statewide Safe Fish Guidelines

If you are using the ESF Guides and the lake or river you’re fishing is not listed in the ESF Guides OR your lake or river is listed in the ESF Guides, but the fish species is not listed, you can use the Statewide Safe Fish Guidelines. These general guidelines are based on the typical amount of chemicals found in fish filets tested from around the state.

Statewide Safe Fish Guidelines thumbnail

Health Effects from Chemicals in Fish

Learn more about how chemicals build up in fish and can impact our health when we eat these fish.

Bioaccumulation and Persistent Chemicals

Eat Safe Fish Frequently Asked Questions

Additional Resources

MDHHS

Filet a Fish in Four Easy Steps (factsheet) – Learn how to filet a fish.

Hooked on Fish Cookbook – Find some great fish recipes collected from Michigan residents.

Buy Safe Fish (brochure) – Learn more about how to choose fish low in mercury when buying fish at a store or restaurant.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

DNR Free Fishing Weekends – See when DNR is hosting their annual Free Fishing Weekends.

DNR Fish Disease and Reporting Fish Kills – Report a fish kill and learn more about possible diseases fish can have.