Minnesota · St. Louis County · Reservoir

Whiteface Reservoir

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

2 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury

Northeast Minnesota guidance (Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties) applies here

Whiteface Reservoir falls under Minnesota's regional guidance — 50 recommendations covering 24 species, stricter than the statewide rules for several — in addition to anything listed for Whiteface Reservoir below.

Strictest regional rule: Muskellunge — For children under 15 and people who are or may become pregnant: do not eat due to elevated Mercury.

See all Northeast Minnesota guidance (Cook, Lake and St. Louis counties) →

What's safe to eat from Whiteface Reservoir

Black Crappie

Mercury

SizeWhoGuidance
All sizes General population Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury.
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

White Crappie

Mercury

SizeWhoGuidance
All sizes General population Limit to two meals per week due to elevated Mercury.
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

Is it legal to keep?

These rules are specific to Whiteface Reservoir. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.

SpeciesSizeDaily limitOpen seasonKeep season
Black Crappie 5 Year-round Same as open
White Crappie 5 Year-round Same as open
Sunfish 5 Year-round Same as open
Bluegill 5 Year-round Same as open
Pumpkinseed 5 Year-round Same as open
Green Sunfish 5 Year-round Same as open

Official rules: Minnesota — Minnesota DNR

Getting on the water

Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.

About this water

State
Minnesota
County
St. Louis
Type
Reservoir
Location
47.3106, -92.1645
Advisory source
Minnesota Department of Health — Fish Consumption Guidelines