LivewellPennsylvania · Erie County · Lake
Lake Erie Open waters
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Lake Erie Open waters, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
1 species with advisories · contaminants: PCBs
Pennsylvania also has statewide guidance
Pennsylvania publishes rules that apply to lakes across the state — 1 recommendation covering 1 species — in addition to anything listed for Lake Erie Open waters below.
Strictest statewide rule: All Other Species — Limit to one meal per week.
What's safe to eat from Lake Erie Open waters
Brown Trout
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
How to prepare fish from Lake Erie Open waters
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 Pennsylvania'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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 12" min | 6 | Year-round | 06-14 – 04-11 |
| Smallmouth Bass | 12" min | 6 | Year-round | 06-14 – 04-11 |
| Walleye | 15" min | 6 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 40" min | 1 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | 24" min | 2 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Inland Trout | 7" min | 5 | Year-round | 04-05 – 09-30 |
| Bluegill | — | 50 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Pennsylvania — Pennsylvania Fish & Boat