LivewellCalifornia · Monterey County · Coastal
Elkhorn Slough
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Elkhorn Slough, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
6 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury, PCBs
California also has statewide guidance
California publishes rules that apply to coastals across the state — 34 recommendations covering 17 species — in addition to anything listed for Elkhorn Slough below.
Strictest statewide rule: Rockfish: Black And Yellow, China, Copper, Gopher — For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from Elkhorn Slough
<24 In Wide Bat Ray
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Women 50 and older and men 18 and older | Limit to four meals per week. |
| 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. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
?24 In Wide Bat Ray
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Women 50 and older and men 18 and older | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women 18–49 and children 1–17 | For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Asian Clam
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Women 50 and older and men 18 and older | Limit to four meals per week. |
| Women 18–49 and children 1–17 | For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to four meals per week. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Leopard Shark
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Women 50 and older and men 18 and older | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women 18–49 and children 1–17 | For women 18–49 and children 1–17: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Speckled Sanddab
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Women 50 and older and men 18 and older | Limit to four meals per week. |
| Women 18–49 and children 1–17 | For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to four meals per week. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Surfperch
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Women 50 and older and men 18 and older | Limit to four meals per week. |
| Women 18–49 and children 1–17 | For women 18–49 and children 1–17: limit to three meals per week due to elevated Mercury and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
How to prepare fish from Elkhorn Slough
Some contaminants build up in fat and skin, so cleaning and cooking can lower your exposure. Others — mercury and PFAS — are in the muscle itself and trimming does nothing.
PCBs
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
Is it legal to keep?
These are California's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep 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
Getting on the water
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.4 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.4 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.4 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.4 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.5 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.7 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.