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New York · Orange County · River

Moodna Creek, downstream of Firthcliffe Dam to mouth of Hudson River

Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Moodna Creek, downstream of Firthcliffe Dam to mouth of Hudson River, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.

8 species with advisories · contaminants: Cadmium, Dioxins, Mercury, PCBs, PFOS

New York also has statewide guidance

New York publishes rules that apply to rivers across the state — 66 recommendations covering 21 species — in addition to anything listed for Moodna Creek, downstream of Firthcliffe Dam to mouth of Hudson River below.

Strictest statewide rule: Chain Pickerel — For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat.

See all New York statewide guidance →

What's safe to eat from Moodna Creek, downstream of Firthcliffe Dam to mouth of Hudson River

Blue Crab Meat

Cadmium PCBs PFOS

SizeWhoGuidance
All sizes General population Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Cadmium, PCB and PFOS.
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 Cadmium, PCB and PFOS.

Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22

Channel Catfish

PCBs PFOS

SizeWhoGuidance
All sizes General population Do not eat due to elevated PCB and PFOS.
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 and PFOS.

Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22

Crab And Lobster Tomalley (Hepatopancreas, Mustard) And Cooking Liquid

Cadmium Dioxins PCBs PFOS

SizeWhoGuidance
All sizes General population Do not eat due to elevated Cadmium, Dioxin, PCB and PFOS.
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 Cadmium, Dioxin, PCB and PFOS.

Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22

Gizzard Shad

PCBs PFOS

SizeWhoGuidance
All sizes General population Do not eat due to elevated PCB and PFOS.
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 and PFOS.

Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22

Smallmouth Bass

PCBs PFOS

SizeWhoGuidance
All sizes General population Do not eat due to elevated PCB and PFOS.
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 and PFOS.

Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22

Walleye

PCBs PFOS

SizeWhoGuidance
All sizes General population Do not eat due to elevated PCB and PFOS.
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 and PFOS.

Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22

White Catfish

PCBs PFOS

SizeWhoGuidance
All sizes General population Do not eat due to elevated PCB and PFOS.
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 and PFOS.

Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22

All Other Species

Mercury PCBs PFOS

SizeWhoGuidance
All sizes General population Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury, PCB and PFOS.
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 Mercury, PCB and PFOS.

Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22

How to prepare fish from Moodna Creek, downstream of Firthcliffe Dam to mouth of Hudson River

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.

Dioxins

  • 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.

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.

SpeciesSizeDaily limitOpen seasonKeep 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

Getting on the water

Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.

About this water

State
New York
County
Orange
Type
River
Location
41.4537, -74.0165
Advisory source
New York State Dept. of Health — Chemicals in Sportfish and Game