Fish consumption advisories

California

California publishes advisories for 156 waters, covering 1668 species-and-size recommendations.

Contaminants of concern: DDT, DIELDRIN, Mercury, PBDE, PCBs, Selenium

Statewide advisory

These apply across California, including waters with no specific advisory of their own.

  • American Shad Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to four meals per week. Advisory for Fish that Migrate
  • American Shad Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Advisory for Fish that Migrate
  • Black Bass Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Black Bass Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Black Bass Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Black Bass Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Brown Trout Over 16" Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Brown Trout Under 16" Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to three meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Brown Trout Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Brown Trout Over 16" Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Brown Trout Under 16" Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Brown Trout Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Bullhead Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Bullhead Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to three meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Bullhead Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Bullhead Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Cabezon Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Cabezon Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • California Corbina Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • California Corbina Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Catfish Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury and PCB. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Catfish Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury and PCB. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Catfish Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury and PCB. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Catfish Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury and PCB. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Chinook Salmon Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to four meals per week. Advisory for Fish that Migrate
  • Chinook Salmon Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury and PCB. Advisory for Fish that Migrate
  • Common Carp Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury and PCB. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Common Carp Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Common Carp Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury and PCB. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Common Carp Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Crappie Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Crappie Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Croaker Species: White, Yellowfin, Queenfish Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to four meals per week. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Croaker Species: White, Yellowfin, Queenfish Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Goldfish Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury and PCB. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Goldfish Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Goldfish Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury and PCB. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Goldfish Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Inland Silverside Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to four meals per week. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Inland Silverside Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Kelp Bass Sea Bass Species: Barred Sand Bass Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Kelp Bass Sea Bass Species: Barred Sand Bass Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Lingcod Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Lingcod Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Rainbow Trout Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to four meals per week. Advisory for Fish that Migrate
  • Rainbow Trout Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to four meals per week. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Rainbow Trout Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to three meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Rainbow Trout Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Advisory for Fish that Migrate
  • Rainbow Trout Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Rainbow Trout Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Red Shiner Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to four meals per week. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Red Shiner Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Rockfish: Black And Yellow, China, Copper, Gopher Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Rockfish: Black And Yellow, China, Copper, Gopher Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Rockfish: Black, Blue, Brown, Kelp, Olive, Rosethorn, Vermillion Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to four meals per week. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Rockfish: Black, Blue, Brown, Kelp, Olive, Rosethorn, Vermillion Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Sacramento Pikeminnow Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Sacramento Pikeminnow Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Sacramento Pikeminnow 16 Inches Or Less Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Sacramento Pikeminnow 16 Inches Or Less Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Sacramento Pikeminnow > 16 Inches Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Sacramento Pikeminnow > 16 Inches Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Sacramento Sucker Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Sacramento Sucker Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury and PCB. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Sacramento Sucker Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Sacramento Sucker Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury and PCB. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Shark Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Shark Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Small Flatfish Species: Diamond Turbot, Longfin Sanddab, Speckled Sanddab, Spotted Turbot Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to four meals per week. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Small Flatfish Species: Diamond Turbot, Longfin Sanddab, Speckled Sanddab, Spotted Turbot Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to four meals per week. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Striped Bass Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury and PCB. Advisory for Fish that Migrate
  • Striped Bass Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Striped Bass Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury and PCB. Advisory for Fish that Migrate
  • Striped Bass Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Sunfish Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Sunfish Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Sunfish Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Sunfish Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Rivers, Streams, and Creeks without Site-Specific Advice
  • Surfperch Species: Barred, Black, Pile, Rainbow, Spotfin, White Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to four meals per week. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Surfperch Species: Barred, Black, Pile, Rainbow, Spotfin, White Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Surfperch Species: Shiner, Silver, Walleye Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to two meals per week due to elevated PCB. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Surfperch Species: Shiner, Silver, Walleye Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to two meals per week due to elevated PCB. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Threadfin Shad Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to four meals per week. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Threadfin Shad Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California's Lakes and Reservoirs without Site?specific Advice
  • Topsmelt Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to four meals per week. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • Topsmelt Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. Statewide Advisory for Eating Fish from California Coastal Locations without Site-Specific Advice
  • White Sturgeon Women 50 and older and men 18 and older Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury and PCB. Advisory for Fish that Migrate
  • White Sturgeon Women 18–49 and children 1–17 For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury and PCB. Advisory for Fish that Migrate

Waters with advisories in California

156 waters on file. A water not listed here has no advisory in the state's data — which usually means it has never been sampled, not that it's been cleared.

Coastals 12

Lakes 88

Ponds 1

Reservoirs 31

Rivers 24

Browse California by county

Every named water in the state, county by county — including the many with no advisory on file.

California statewide fishing limits

Statewide defaults — specific waters and zones may differ. Verify the current rules before keeping a fish.

SpeciesSizeDaily limitOpen seasonKeep season
Largemouth Bass — 5 Year-round Same as open
Smallmouth Bass — 5 Year-round Same as open
Striped Bass 18" min 2 Year-round Same as open
Rainbow Trout — 5 Year-round Same as open
Black Crappie — 25 Year-round Same as open
Channel Catfish — 10 Year-round Same as open

Official rules: California — California DFW

Where this comes from

Advisories
California OEHHA — Fish Consumption Advisories
Regulations
California — California DFW
All sources
Every state's official source