Fish Advisories

Fishing is a vital part of who we are — it connects us to the river, to our teachings, and to each other. But some fish in our waters may carry pollutants that can affect human health, especially for young children, elders, and people who eat fish regularly.

To help protect our community, we issue fish consumption advisories when certain contaminants in fish reach levels of concern. These advisories are not meant to discourage fishing — they’re meant to provide guidance on how to continue traditional practices more safely.

What We Monitor For

We test fish tissue for contaminants such as:

  • Mercury – a heavy metal that can harm the nervous system

  • PCBs – industrial chemicals that build up in fat and can affect immunity and development

  • Dioxins and furans – byproducts from burning and industrial processes

  • PBDEs – flame retardants found in plastics and household materials

How Advisories Help

Fish advisories help you:

  • Choose which fish to eat and how often

  • Learn which parts of the fish contain more contaminants

  • Make informed choices for children, pregnant women, and those with health concerns

  • Continue cultural practices with better knowledge of pollution risks

Stay Informed

Have questions or want to get involved? We welcome your input, and we’ll continue to share new findings as our monitoring efforts grow.

Upper Columbia River/Lake Roosevelt: Fish Advisory brochure Link

Fish meal size: Link to WA State Department of Health