LivewellWashington · Lake
Lake Washington
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Lake Washington, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
10 species with advisories · contaminants: PCBs, PFOS
What's safe to eat from Lake Washington
Brown Bullhead
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PFOS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Cutthroat Trout
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated PFOS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Largemouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated PFOS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Northern Pikeminnow
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Pumpkinseed
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Rainbow Trout
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Smallmouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated PFOS. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Sockeye Salmon
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Yellow Perch
| 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 Washington
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 Washington'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 | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Rainbow Trout | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Channel Catfish | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Washington — Washington DFW
Getting on the water
- Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club marina 1.9 mi Directions
- Leschi North Marina marina 2.1 mi Directions
- Leschi South Marina marina 2.2 mi Directions
- Northeast 42nd Street Boat Ramp boat ramp 2.2 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.3 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.4 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.