LivewellIllinois · Clay County · River
Little Wabash River and Tributaries
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Little Wabash River and Tributaries, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
7 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury
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 Little Wabash River and Tributaries below.
Strictest statewide rule: All Other Species — For women of childbearing age and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from Little Wabash River and Tributaries
Bluegill
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Women of childbearing age and children under 15 | For women of childbearing age and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women of childbearing age and children under 15 | For women of childbearing age and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Largemouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women of childbearing age and children under 15 | For women of childbearing age and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Smallmouth Buffalo
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women of childbearing age and children under 15 | For women of childbearing age and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Spotted Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women of childbearing age and children under 15 | For women of childbearing age and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
White Crappie
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Women of childbearing age and children under 15 | For women of childbearing age and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Yellow Bullhead
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women of childbearing age and children under 15 | For women of childbearing age and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
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