LivewellNew York · Westchester County · River
Sawmill River, upstream of the flume at Mill Street in Yonkers
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Sawmill River, upstream of the flume at Mill Street in Yonkers, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
2 species with advisories · contaminants: Chlordane, Mercury, PCBs
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 Sawmill River, upstream of the flume at Mill Street in Yonkers below.
Strictest statewide rule: Chain Pickerel — For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: do not eat.
What's safe to eat from Sawmill River, upstream of the flume at Mill Street in Yonkers
American Eel
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Chlordane and 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 Chlordane and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
All Other Species
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | 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 Chlordane, Mercury and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
How to prepare fish from Sawmill River, upstream of the flume at Mill Street in Yonkers
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.
Chlordane
- 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
- JFK Marina Boat Launch boat ramp 1.6 mi Directions
- Riverdale Yacht Club marina 2.3 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.0 mi Directions
- Yonkers Yacht Club marina 3.0 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.1 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.1 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.