LivewellMassachusetts · Beverly County · Lake
Wenham Lake
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Wenham Lake, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
3 species with advisories · contaminants: DDT, Mercury
Massachusetts also has statewide guidance
Massachusetts publishes rules that apply to lakes across the state — 1 recommendation covering 1 species — in addition to anything listed for Wenham Lake below.
Strictest statewide rule: All Other Species — For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from Wenham Lake
American Eel
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated DDT and Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-02
Largemouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated DDT and Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-02
All Other Species
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated DDT and Mercury. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated DDT and Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-07-02
How to prepare fish from Wenham 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.
DDT
- 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 Massachusetts'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 |
| Northern Pike | 28" min | 2 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Chain Pickerel | 15" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | 14" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Inland Trout | — | 3 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Massachusetts — Massachusetts DFW