Lake Michigan borders the Northeast section of Illinois where Carefree Boat Club Chicago is located. The age old question has always been is it safe to eat fish that you catch in Lake Michigan? There are rumors and stories about how the fish can be bad for you. In this blog, we are going to debunk the myths and go back in time and explain what happened in 1979 to cause these stories.
History
In 1979, numerous companies were dumping a chemical called Polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs into the Great Lakes. At the time, this chemical was involved in a process to insulate and cool electrical equipment. By the time the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the use of and disposal of PCBs they had done their damage. Since this chemical takes a long time to break down there are residual PCB chemicals in the environment today.
The only way to rid of the PCBs found in the Great Lakes is through time; closer to 100 years! However, since 1979 the amount of PCB in the Great Lakes has reduced significantly. See the diagram below, thanks to WBEZ.
However, with that being said there are workarounds to fishing in Lake Michigan and catching/eating your catch-of-the-day!
Graphic by Logan Jaffe|WBEZ
Bottom dweller fish hold more sediment and more likely to contain PCB residue. That is why many fish like Channel Catfish, Carp and Lake Trout of 29″ or more are not recommended for eating.
Also, some researchers suggest eating fish (even at risk with contaminants) can outweigh the risk of not eating fish altogether as their omega-3 fatty acids are vital for protein.
Here’s an excerpt from WBEZ explaining the infographic to the right of which fish and in which frequency are okay to eat!
“State agencies keep a running list of current fish advisories statewide, which vary by species and body of water. They also change over time. On a page that’s specific to Lake Michigan catch, the agency provides warnings for 10 fish species. The DNR doesn’t recommend you eat any of them more than once a week, and some come with the unequivocal advice: “Do Not Eat.” This applies to lake-caught carp and channel catfish.” WBEZ
In conclusion, you can eat fish caught in Lake Michigan if they are a certain type, of a certain size and if you consume it less frequently.
Important: Don’t let this article deter you from eating fish caught in Lake Michigan. Plenty of people catch fish in the Great Lakes and eat it every day. In Chicago, restaurants will even clean your catch for you!
Note: Trout fishing season starts in Illinois on April 5th. Have fun!
Do you have any other questions about boating without owning or the Carefree Boat Club Chicago location?
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Images and Sources: WBEZ
