LivewellIllinois · Cook County · River
Salt Creek
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Salt Creek, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
1 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 Salt Creek 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 Salt Creek
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 24" | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
| Over 24" | General population | Limit to 6 meals per year due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
How to prepare fish from Salt Creek
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 0.1 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.6 mi Directions
- Addison Creek Confluence Canoe Launch boat ramp 2.3 mi Directions
- Schuth's Grove boat ramp 2.3 mi Directions
- Bemis Woods-North Canoe Landing boat ramp 3.9 mi Directions
- Maywood Grove Canoe Landing boat ramp 4.8 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.