LivewellMaryland · River
Rock Creek (Montgomery County)
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Rock Creek (Montgomery County), by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
2 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury, PCBs
What's safe to eat from Rock Creek (Montgomery County)
American Eel
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to 6 meals per year due to elevated Mercury. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to 6 meals per year due to elevated Mercury. | |
| Children under 15 | For children under 15: limit to 6 meals per year due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Sunfish (Including Bluegill)
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. | |
| Children under 15 | For children under 15: limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
How to prepare fish from Rock Creek (Montgomery County)
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 Maryland'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 | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | 15" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 30" min | 1 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | 24" min | 1 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | 8" min | 15 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Maryland — Maryland DNR