LivewellIllinois · Cook County · River
Calumet River System
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Calumet River System, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
6 species with advisories · contaminants: PCBs
Illinois also has statewide guidance
Illinois publishes rules that apply to rivers across the state — 1 recommendation covering 1 species — in addition to anything listed for Calumet River System 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 Calumet River System
Channel Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Over 18" | General population | Limit to 6 meals per year due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 12" | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
| Over 12" | General population | Do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Largemouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Smallmouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Sunfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Yellow Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 8" | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
| Over 8" | General population | Limit to 6 meals per year due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
How to prepare fish from Calumet River System
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 Illinois'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 | 14" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | 14" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 36" min | 1 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | 24" min | 3 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Illinois — Illinois DNR
Getting on the water
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.8 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.9 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.9 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.9 mi Directions
- Calumet Harbor marina 1.1 mi Directions
- Coast Guard Basin marina 1.1 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.