Livewell

Michigan · Stream

Little Black Creek

Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Little Black Creek, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.

8 species with advisories · contaminants: PCBs, PFOS

What's safe to eat from Little Black Creek

Common Carp

PCBs

SizeWhoGuidance
All sizes General population Limit to one meal per year 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: do not eat due to elevated PCB.

Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22

Creek Chub

PCBs PFOS

SizeWhoGuidance
All sizes General population Limit to 6 meals per year due to elevated PCB and PFOS.
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 PCB and PFOS.

Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22

Largemouth Bass

PCBs

SizeWhoGuidance
All sizes General population Limit to one meal 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 one meal per month due to elevated PCB.

Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22

Smallmouth Bass

PCBs

SizeWhoGuidance
All sizes General population Limit to one meal 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 one meal per month due to elevated PCB.

Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22

Suckers

PCBs

SizeWhoGuidance
All sizes General population Limit to 6 meals per year 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 6 meals per year due to elevated PCB.

Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22

Walleye

PCBs

SizeWhoGuidance
Under 20" General population Limit to one meal 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 one meal per month due to elevated PCB.

Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22

Yellow Perch

PFOS

SizeWhoGuidance
All sizes General population Limit to 6 meals per year due to elevated PFOS.
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 PFOS.

Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22

All Other Species

PCBs

SizeWhoGuidance
All sizes General population Limit to 6 meals per year 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 6 meals per year due to elevated PCB.

Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22

How to prepare fish from Little Black 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 Michigan's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.

SpeciesSizeDaily limitOpen seasonKeep season
Walleye 15" min 5 Year-round Same as open
Northern Pike 24" min 2 Year-round Same as open
Muskellunge 42" min 1 06-01 – 03-15 Same as open
Largemouth Bass 14" min 5 Year-round 05-24 – 12-31
Smallmouth Bass 14" min 5 Year-round 05-24 – 12-31
Bluegill 25 Year-round Same as open
Black Crappie 25 Year-round Same as open
Yellow Perch 25 Year-round Same as open
Channel Catfish 10 Year-round Same as open
Lake Trout 3 Year-round Same as open

Official rules: Michigan — Michigan DNR

Getting on the water

Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.

About this water

State
Michigan
Type
Stream
Location
43.1361, -86.2814
Advisory source
Michigan EGLE — Eat Safe Fish Guide