Why don't people eat fish from the Great Lakes?
Why don't people eat fish from the Great Lakes? Yet, oversimplifying or overstating the risks carries consequences. For decades, state governments have advised the public to limit the amount or types of Great Lakes fish they eat due to the presence of mercury, a neurotoxin, and carcinogenic polychlorinated biphenyls.
Is it safe to eat fish out of the Great Lakes?
Choose smaller, younger fish that are lower in chemical contamination. Instead of catching and eating catfish or carp, try bluegill, perch, walleye, rock bass, and black crappie. Fish in less contaminated waters. Avoid eating fish organs, heads, or skin.
Are there any aggressive fish in the Great Lakes?
The most dangerous predator in the Great Lakes is the sea lamprey, which was actually introduced as an invasive species. Primarily, it goes after a sports fish called the lake trout, often wounding them as they kill them off. It is also attracted to the blood and bodily fluids of any creature.
Are you allowed to swim in the Great Lakes?
The clean, fresh waters of the lakes offer amazing swimming opportunities, whether you are cooling off on a hot summer day, or jumping in and out during a polar bear dip (icy, annual traditions when brave individuals jump into frigid oceans and lakes, often for charity).
Is it safe to swim in the Great Lakes?
These lakes are the perfect backdrop for swimming, boating, and other water-related activities. But there can be more danger in these Great Lakes waves than what you'd find in the ocean. The Great Lakes are more than capable of generating waves over 10 feet high, despite being smaller than our oceans.