LivewellNew York · Franklin County · River
St. Lawrence River, whole river, excluding Seaway International Bridge area…
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for St. Lawrence River, whole river, excluding Seaway International Bridge area…, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
8 species with advisories · contaminants: 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 St. Lawrence River, whole river, excluding Seaway International Bridge area… 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 St. Lawrence River, whole river, excluding Seaway International Bridge area…
Bluegill
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week 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: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Brown Bullhead
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week 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: limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Brown Trout
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20" | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
| Over 20" | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
| All sizes | Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month 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 2026-09-22
Lake Trout
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 25" | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury and PCB. |
| Over 25" | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury and PCB. |
| All sizes | Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per month due to elevated Mercury and PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Pumpkinseed/sunfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week 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: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Smallmouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week 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: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Walleye
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week 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: limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
How to prepare fish from St. Lawrence River, whole river, excluding Seaway International Bridge area…
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