LivewellMinnesota · Winona County · Reservoir
U.S. Lock & Dam #7 Pool
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for U.S. Lock & Dam #7 Pool, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
3 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury, PCBs
Minnesota also has statewide guidance
Minnesota publishes rules that apply to reservoirs across the state — 50 recommendations covering 24 species — in addition to anything listed for U.S. Lock & Dam #7 Pool below.
Strictest statewide rule: Muskellunge — For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: do not eat due to elevated Mercury.
What's safe to eat from U.S. Lock & Dam #7 Pool
Bigmouth Buffalo
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
| Children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant | For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-23
Channel Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
| Children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant | For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-23
Flathead Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
| Children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant | For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-23
How to prepare fish from U.S. Lock & Dam #7 Pool
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 Minnesota'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 | — | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Sauger | — | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 54" min | 1 | 06-01 – 12-01 | Same as open |
| Largemouth Bass | — | 6 | Year-round | 05-24 – 02-25 |
| Smallmouth Bass | — | 6 | Year-round | 05-24 – 02-25 |
| Bluegill | — | 20 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Yellow Perch | — | 20 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Lake Trout | — | 2 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Minnesota — Minnesota DNR
Getting on the water
- Boat ramp boat ramp 1.2 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.