LivewellCalifornia · Contra Costa County · Reservoir
San Pablo Reservoir
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for San Pablo Reservoir, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
5 species with advisories · contaminants: DIELDRIN, Mercury, PCBs
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 San Pablo 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 San Pablo 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
Catfish Species
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated Dieldrin. |
| 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 Dieldrin. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated Dieldrin. |
| 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 Dieldrin. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Crappie 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 two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Trout, Rainbow
| 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 San Pablo Reservoir
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 0.7 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.8 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.