LivewellWashington · River
Lower Duwamish River
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Lower Duwamish River, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
9 species with advisories · contaminants: PCBs
What's safe to eat from Lower Duwamish River
All Fish (Lower Duwamish)
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Blackmouth Salmon
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Chinook Salmon
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to one meal per week due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Chum Salmon
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Coho Salmon
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Crab
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Pink Salmon
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Safe to eat as part of a regular diet. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Shellfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
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
How to prepare fish from Lower Duwamish River
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
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.4 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 0.4 mi Directions
- Harbor Island Marina marina 0.4 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 1.6 mi Directions
- Fishing access fishing 2.4 mi Directions
- Boat ramp boat ramp 2.6 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.