LivewellMichigan · Lake
Thompson Lake
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Thompson Lake, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
8 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury, PCBs
Michigan also has statewide guidance
Michigan publishes rules that apply to lakes across the state — 34 recommendations covering 15 species — in addition to anything listed for Thompson Lake below.
Strictest statewide rule: Common Carp — For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated PCB.
What's safe to eat from Thompson Lake
Black Bullhead
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to four meals per week. |
| Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to four meals per week. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Black Crappie
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat 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
Largemouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18" | General population | Limit to one meal per month 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 one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. | |
| 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 · official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Northern Pike
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Smallmouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18" | General population | Limit to one meal per month 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 one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. | |
| 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 · official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
White Crappie
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 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
All Other Species
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 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
How to prepare fish from Thompson 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 Michigan'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 | 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
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.4 mi Directions
- Lake Chemung Boat Launch boat ramp 4.6 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.