LivewellMississippi · Lake
Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
1 species with advisories · contaminants: PCBs
What's safe to eat from Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge
All Other Species
| 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 2026-07-09
How to prepare fish from Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge
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 Mississippi'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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Spotted Bass | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 30 | Year-round | Same as open |
| White Crappie | — | 30 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Bluegill | — | 100 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Striped Bass | 15" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Hybrid Striped Bass | 15" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | — | 3 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Sauger | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Chain Pickerel | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Mississippi — Mississippi MDWFP