LivewellVirginia · Reservoir
John H. Kerr Reservoir
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for John H. Kerr Reservoir, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
8 species with advisories · contaminants: PCBs
What's safe to eat from John H. Kerr Reservoir
Channel Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Flathead Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Mercury
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Redhorse Sucker Species
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Smallmouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Walleye
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
White Perch
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
How to prepare fish from John H. Kerr Reservoir
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 Virginia'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 | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | 18" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 42" min | 1 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | 20" min | 2 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Virginia — Virginia DWR
Getting on the water
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.2 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.7 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 3.9 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 4.3 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 4.4 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 4.5 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.