LivewellCalifornia · San Bernardino County · Lake
Prado Lake
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Prado Lake, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
5 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury, PCBs
California also has statewide guidance
California publishes rules that apply to lakes across the state — 42 recommendations covering 20 species — in addition to anything listed for Prado Lake below.
Strictest statewide rule: Bass, Black — For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from Prado Lake
Bass, Black
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to four meals per week. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to four meals per week. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Catfish, Channel
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to four meals per week. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to four meals per week. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to four meals per week. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to four meals per week. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Sunfish Species
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to four meals per week. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to four meals per week. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Threadfin Shad
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to four meals per week. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to four meals per week. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
How to prepare fish from Prado Lake
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
- Fishing access fishing 3.7 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.