LivewellMichigan · River
Thunder Bay River - Main Branch
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Thunder Bay River - Main Branch, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
11 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury, PCBs, PFOS
Michigan also has statewide guidance
Michigan publishes rules that apply to rivers across the state — 16 recommendations covering 8 species — in addition to anything listed for Thunder Bay River - Main Branch below.
Strictest statewide rule: Channel Catfish — For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children: do not eat due to elevated PCB.
What's safe to eat from Thunder Bay River - Main Branch
Black Bullhead
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| 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 Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Bluegill
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury and PFOS. |
| 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 Mercury and PFOS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to 6 meals per year 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 6 meals per year due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Largemouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18" | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| 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 two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Northern Pike
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30" | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| 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 two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Rock Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 8" | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| 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 Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Smallmouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18" | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| 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 two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Suckers
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 14" | General population | Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| 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 two meals per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Sunfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury and PFOS. |
| 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 Mercury and PFOS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Walleye
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18" | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| 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 two meals per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Yellow Perch
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 10" | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
| 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 Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
How to prepare fish from Thunder Bay River - Main Branch
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 2.9 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.