Warning -Don’t Eat Fish Caught in These Louisiana Waterways

When you're known as the Sportsman's Paradise, which Louisiana is, naturally fishing is going to figure into your reputation. Parishes such as Cameron, Vermillion, Iberia, and St. Mary offer anglers the chance to go offshore. Near cities such as Shreveport and Monroe there are some of the world's best "big bass" lakes too. 

Of course, there are countless other places to wet a line in Louisiana from the endless number of creeks, streams, and bayous to the ponds, lakes, and bays there are a lot of opportunities to catch fish here in The Boot. But once you've gotten those fish in the boat there is one more question you need to ask.

Are Fish Caught in Louisiana Waterways Safe to Eat?

The short answer to that query is "maybe". In many parts of the state, in fact the majority of the state's waterways the consumption of harvested fish by humans is just fine. However, there are some bodies of water that you don't want to feed your family "the catch of the day".

The Louisiana Department of Health, The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries have just issued eleven new advisories concerning fish consumption in Louisiana. The issue at hand appears to be high concentrations of mercury in fish and shellfish harvested from those areas.

The areas affected by the most recent advisories include Bayou Dorcheat, Black Bayou Lake, Black Lake and Clear Lake, Caddo Lake, Corney Lake, Grand Bayou Reservoir, Ivan Lake, Kepler Creek Lake, Toledo Bend Reservoir, Vernon Lake, and Lake Maurepas. 

Use This Interactive Map to Find Safe Places to Fish in Louisiana

Chances are as you perused that list of bodies of water that now have advisories posted you're wondering just where those places are and if there are any places where fishing and the consumption of harvested fish are safe.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has a really easy-to-use interactive map. Not only does the map highlight fish consumption advisories you can also see advisories posted for swimming and other water activities. 

Don't Forget Your Louisiana Fishing License

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reminds all anglers that fishing licenses are required to fish on the state's waterways. The good news is that you can download your license to your smartphone on the way to the lake if you haven't done so already. Just follow this link, and use your major credit card.

Oh, if you want to make someone's day, take a kid fishing. Many community parks and public lakes and ponds have been stocked with fish by LDW over the past year or so as part of Get Out and Fish! Community Fishing Program. For a map of those fishing holes, you can click right here.