LivewellGeorgia · River
Coosa River (Hwy 100 to Stateline)
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Coosa River (Hwy 100 to Stateline), by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
6 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury, PCBs, Pesticides
Georgia also has statewide guidance
Georgia publishes rules that apply to rivers across the state — 1 recommendation covering 1 species — in addition to anything listed for Coosa River (Hwy 100 to Stateline) below.
Strictest statewide rule: All Other Species — For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from Coosa River (Hwy 100 to Stateline)
Black Crappie
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Blue Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 32" | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Over 32" | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Channel Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Flathead Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Largemouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
White Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Pesticides. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
How to prepare fish from Coosa River (Hwy 100 to Stateline)
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.
Pesticides
- 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 Georgia'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 | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 30 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Bluegill | — | 50 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Striped Bass | — | 15 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Georgia — Georgia DNR WRD