LivewellIowa · Union County · Lake
McKinley Lake
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for McKinley Lake, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
1 species with advisories · contaminants: PCBs
Iowa also has statewide guidance
Iowa publishes rules that apply to lakes across the state — 8 recommendations covering 7 species — in addition to anything listed for McKinley Lake below.
Strictest statewide rule: Channel Catfish, Over 24" — For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from McKinley Lake
Channel Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
| Women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children: limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-09
How to prepare fish from McKinley Lake
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 Iowa'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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walleye | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Sauger | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Largemouth Bass | 15" min | 3 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | 15" min | 3 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | — | 3 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 40" min | 1 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | 8 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Bluegill | — | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Yellow Perch | — | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Rainbow Trout | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| White Bass | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Iowa — Iowa DNR