LivewellNew York · Cayuga County · Lake
Lake Ontario
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Lake Ontario, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
11 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury, PCBs, PFOS
New York also has statewide guidance
New York publishes rules that apply to lakes across the state — 66 recommendations covering 21 species — in addition to anything listed for Lake Ontario below.
Strictest statewide rule: Chain Pickerel — For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: do not eat.
What's safe to eat from Lake Ontario
Atlantic Salmon
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
| People who may become pregnant and children under 15 | For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Bluegill
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
| People who may become pregnant and children under 15 | For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Brown Trout
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20" | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
| Over 20" | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
| All sizes | People who may become pregnant and children under 15 | For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Chinook Salmon
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
| People who may become pregnant and children under 15 | For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Coho Salmon
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
| People who may become pregnant and children under 15 | For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
| People who may become pregnant and children under 15 | For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Lake Trout
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB and PFOS. |
| People who may become pregnant and children under 15 | For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB and PFOS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Rainbow Trout/steelhead
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
| People who may become pregnant and children under 15 | For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Smallmouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
| People who may become pregnant and children under 15 | For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Sunfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
| People who may become pregnant and children under 15 | For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Walleye
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
| People who may become pregnant and children under 15 | For people who may become pregnant and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
How to prepare fish from Lake Ontario
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 New York'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 | 05-03 – 03-15 |
| Largemouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | 12-01 – 11-30 | 06-21 – 11-30 |
| Smallmouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | 06-21 – 11-30 |
| Northern Pike | 22" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 40" min | 1 | Year-round | 05-24 – 03-15 |
| Chain Pickerel | 15" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Yellow Perch | — | 50 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: New York — New York DEC