LivewellIllinois · Cass County · River
Sangamon River
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Sangamon River, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
8 species with advisories · contaminants: PCBs, PFOS
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 Sangamon River 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 Sangamon River
Bluegill
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PFOS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Channel Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 21" | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
| Over 21" | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PFOS. |
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 PFOS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Smallmouth Buffalo
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PFOS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Striped Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PFOS. |
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 PFOS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
White Crappie
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PFOS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
How to prepare fish from Sangamon River
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
- Browning Ldg Boat Launch boat ramp 1.0 mi Directions
- Sanganois Boat Launch boat ramp 2.0 mi Directions
- Frederick Boat Launch boat ramp 4.2 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.