LivewellNew York · Raritan Bay County · Lake
Raritan Bay, west of Wolfe's Pond Park 2, 3 (Richmond)
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Raritan Bay, west of Wolfe's Pond Park 2, 3 (Richmond), by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
10 species with advisories · contaminants: Cadmium, Dioxins, 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 Raritan Bay, west of Wolfe's Pond Park 2, 3 (Richmond) 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 Raritan Bay, west of Wolfe's Pond Park 2, 3 (Richmond)
American Eel
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Do not eat due to elevated Dioxin and 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 Dioxin and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Atlantic Needlefish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Dioxin and 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 Dioxin and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Blue Crab Meat
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Cadmium, Dioxin and 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 Cadmium, Dioxin and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Bluefish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Dioxin and 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 Dioxin and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Crab Or Lobster Tomalley And Cooking Liquid 2
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Do not eat due to elevated Cadmium, Dioxin, PCB and PFOS. |
| 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 Cadmium, Dioxin, PCB and PFOS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Gizzard Shad
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Do not eat due to elevated Dioxin and 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 Dioxin and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Rainbow Smelt
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Dioxin and 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 Dioxin and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Striped Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Dioxin and 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 Dioxin and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
White Perch
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Do not eat due to elevated Dioxin and 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 Dioxin and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
All Other Species
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | Men, and women 50 and older | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Dioxin and 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 Dioxin and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
How to prepare fish from Raritan Bay, west of Wolfe's Pond Park 2, 3 (Richmond)
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.
| 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
Getting on the water
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.2 mi Directions
- Moonbeam Great Kills Marina marina 3.2 mi Directions
- Great Kills Park Boat Ramp boat ramp 3.5 mi Directions
- Marina marina 3.5 mi Directions
- Staten Island Marina marina 3.7 mi Directions
- Atlantis Marina marina 3.8 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.