LivewellCalifornia · Merced County · Reservoir
Los Banos Reservoir
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Los Banos Reservoir, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
4 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury
California also has statewide guidance
California publishes rules that apply to reservoirs across the state — 10 recommendations covering 5 species — in addition to anything listed for Los Banos Reservoir below.
Strictest statewide rule: Bass, Striped — For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury and PCB.
What's safe to eat from Los Banos Reservoir
Bass, Black
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Sunfish Species
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to three meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Threadfin Shad
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to three meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
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 0.6 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.