Consumption Advisories and PFAS
The DNR works closely with the Department of Health Services (DHS) to issue consumption advisories for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) where and when necessary. Fish consumption advisories are based on guidance from the Great Lakes Consortium for Fish Consumption Advisories [PDF exit DNR]. DNR's Fisheries Management Program manages fish consumption advisories and DNR's Wildlife Management program manages deer and waterfowl consumption advisories.
More information about how PFAS could impact human health and actions to take to reduce exposure is available on the DHS website.
Sept. 4, 2025: DNR And DHS Issue New PFAS-based Consumption Advisories For Fish And Deer For Town Of Stella And Surrounding Waterbodies In Oneida County
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Health Services (DHS) announced new deer and fish consumption advisories for the Town of Stella and nearby waterbodies due to the contamination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Fish Consumption Advisory
The DNR and DHS have issued a “Do Not Eat” PFAS-based consumption advisory for all fish species from the Moen Chain of Lakes (including Moen Lake, Second Lake, Third Lake, Fourth Lake, Fifth Lake), Sunset Lake, Starks Creek (upstream to and including Starks Spring) and Snowden Lake.
Fish were collected from the Moen Lake Chain and Snowden Lake in a sampling effort for contaminant monitoring. Results from these sampling efforts showed elevated levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a type of PFAS, in the tissue of all fish sampled from these waterbodies.
Based on this and new consumption guidelines developed to reflect emerging science on PFOS, the DNR and DHS are recommending an updated advisory for the Moen Lake Chain and new advisories for Snowden Lake, Sunset Lake and Starks Creek upstream to Starks Spring.
Deer Consumption Advisory
The DNR and DHS have also issued new PFAS-based guidance for the consumption of deer harvested within a 5-mile radius of the Town of Stella town hall. The new guidance for consuming muscle tissue from harvested deer in this area is one meal per month, and “Do Not Eat” for liver.
Due to the community's high interest in PFAS contamination near the Town of Stella, the DNR asked hunters within a 3-mile radius to donate muscle and liver samples from their harvests during the 2024 hunting season. A total of 11 deer were sampled, and the results were analyzed by the DNR and the DHS.
Testing showed elevated PFAS levels in the muscle (venison) of deer harvested from this area. Because of these findings, the DNR and DHS have issued a one-meal-per-month PFAS-based consumption advisory for deer muscle (venison) in a 5-mile radius around the Town of Stella town hall.
Sampling results also showed significant PFAS levels in deer liver tissues. The liver filters chemicals from the blood, and some chemicals, like PFAS, can accumulate in the liver over time. These findings suggest that eating liver from deer in this area is likely to result in significant PFAS exposure. DHS and DNR recommend people not eat liver harvested from deer within the advisory area.
Following fish and wildlife consumption advisories will help protect you from consuming PFAS-contaminated tissue, which can cause the chemicals to accumulate in the body. A complete list of up-to-date fish consumption advisories can be found in the Choose Wisely booklet. More information on safe deer consumption can be found on the DNR's Safely Eating Venison webpage.
Sept. 4, 2025: DNR And DHS Issue New PFAS-Based Consumption Advisory For Ducks Harvested On Green Bay
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Department of Health Services (DHS) today announced a new consumption advisory for mallards and wood ducks harvested on Green Bay due to the contamination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Based on PFAS testing results in the region, the DNR and DHS have issued consumption advisories for two different areas of the bay.
Lower Green Bay from Longtail Point across to Point au Sable and south to the mouth of the Fox River
- Mallards: Do Not Eat
Green Bay from the city of Marinette across to Sturgeon Bay and south to Longtail Point
- Mallards: 1 meal per month
- Wood ducks: 1 meal per week
This advisory is in effect immediately, and hunters should be aware of this for the fall hunting season.
Waterfowl were first collected from Green Bay in 2022 to evaluate the existing polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) consumption advisory in Lower Green Bay. An additional assessment of PFAS concentrations in breast muscle tissue was included in this effort. In 2023 and 2024, additional duck breast muscle samples were collected. All testing occurred between the months of July and August, increasing the likelihood that the birds were representative of local breeding populations.
Results from these efforts indicate elevated levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a type of PFAS, in the breast muscle of the sampled ducks. The results also indicate that both adult and juvenile ducks in lower Green Bay have higher concentrations of PFOS than in the northern portion of the bay.
Based on these results, the DNR worked with DHS to develop new PFAS-based consumption guidelines for ducks.
Following wildlife consumption advisories will help prevent the consumption of PFAS-contaminated tissue, which can cause the chemicals to accumulate in the body.
Fish Consumption and PFAS
Fishing is an important part of life in Wisconsin and eating fish that you catch can be part of a healthy, balanced diet. Fish are generally high in protein, contain vitamins and minerals and are the primary food source for healthy omega-3 fats.
However, fish may take in pollutants from their environment and their food. In Wisconsin, the DNR regularly tests fish to determine if they contain pollutants and special fish consumption advice is issued for waterbodies where higher levels of pollutants are measured.
For most of Wisconsin's 10,000+ waterbodies, the general statewide fish consumption advisory [PDF] should be followed. For the waterbodies where increased levels of pollutants have been measured, special fish consumption advice should be followed.
In Wisconsin, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are the pollutants upon which most special fish consumption is based. At some sites, though, elevated levels of other pollutants, including dioxins and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a type of PFAS, are the basis for special fish consumption advice.
Consumption Advice
Following fish consumption advisories provides you the health benefits from eating fish while reducing your risk from contaminants.
- Before going fishing, use the Choose Wisely booklet to determine if your fishing spot has special advice and then follow the consumption advice appropriate for the species and length of fish you'd like to eat.
- You can also search for advice for any waterbody in the state using the online Find Advice tool.
Advice For Hmong and Spanish Anglers
Where DNR Has Sampled Fish For PFAS
The DNR has sampled fish for PFAS (including PFOS and PFOA) in a number of Wisconsin waters. The table below includes locations that have been sampled since 2006. Efforts are underway to sample fish from more locations and to sample locations previously visited. Locations that were sampled for PFAS but did not warrant a PFOS-based advisory may still have consumption advisories based on other contaminants, such as mercury or PCBs. Visit the Choose Wisely guide or the Fish Consumption webpage for more information, including details of the advisories.
Waterbody Status Black Earth Creek, Dane and Iowa counties Resampled, PFOS-based advice removed Fox River, DePere to Green Bay Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued Green Bay and tributaries to the first dam (except the Lower Fox River) Qhov Chaw Muaj Lus Qhia Tshwj Xeeb Rau Green Bay Thiab Cov Dej Ntws Los Rau Nws
Advertencia Específica Del Sitio Para Green Bay Y Sus Afluentes
La Crosse River at Angelo Pond, Monroe County Current PFOS-based advice La Crosse River from Angelo Pond to the Neshonoc Dam, including Perch and Neshonoc lakes, Monroe and La Crosse counties Current PFOS-based advice Lake Kegonsa, Dane County Qhov Chaw Muaj Lus Qhia Tshwj Xeeb Rau Ntau Feem Ntawm Yahara Chain
Lake Mendota, Dane County Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued Lake Michigan Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued Lake Monona, Dane County Qhov Chaw Muaj Lus Qhia Tshwj Xeeb Rau Ntau Feem Ntawm Yahara Chain
Lake Superior Current PFOS-based advice Lake Waubesa, Dane County Qhov Chaw Muaj Lus Qhia Tshwj Xeeb Rau Ntau Feem Ntawm Yahara Chain
Lake Wingra, Dane County Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued Lake Winnebago Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued Manitowoc River, Hayton Millpond Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued Manitowoc River, Jordan Creek Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued Mauthe Lake, Fond du Lac County Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued Menominee River, Chalk Hills Flowage Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued Menominee River, Grand Rapids Flowage Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued Menominee River, Lower Scott Flowage Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued Menominee River, Lower Scott Flowage to Green Bay Qhov Chaw Muaj Lus Qhia Tshwj Xeeb Rau Green Bay Thiab Cov Dej Ntws Los Rau Nws
Advertencia Específica Del Sitio Para Green Bay Y Sus Afluentes
Milwaukee River Estuary Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued Milwaukee River, Grafton to Estabrook Falls Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued Mississippi River, Pools 3-6 Current PFOS-based advice Mississippi River, Pool 8 Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued Moen Lake Chain, Oneida County
Includes Moen, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sunset lakes, and Starks Creek upstream to and including Starks SpringCurrent PFOS-based advice Oconto River, Stiles to Green Bay Qhov Chaw Muaj Lus Qhia Tshwj Xeeb Rau Green Bay Thiab Cov Dej Ntws Los Rau Nws
Advertencia Específica Del Sitio Para Green Bay Y Sus Afluentes
Osprey Lake, Sawyer County Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued Peshtigo River, High Falls Flowage Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued Peshtigo River, Peshtigo to Green Bay Qhov Chaw Muaj Lus Qhia Tshwj Xeeb Rau Green Bay Thiab Cov Dej Ntws Los Rau Nws
Advertencia Específica Del Sitio Para Green Bay Y Sus Afluentes
St. Louis River Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued Silver Creek, Monroe County Current PFOS-based advice Snowden Lake, Oneida County Current PFOS-based advice Starkweather Creek, Dane County Qhov Chaw Muaj Lus Qhia Tshwj Xeeb Rau Ntau Feem Ntawm Yahara Chain
Upper and Lower Mud Lakes, Dane County Qhov Chaw Muaj Lus Qhia Tshwj Xeeb Rau Ntau Feem Ntawm Yahara Chain
Warner Park Lagoons, Dane County Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued Wingra Creek, Dane County Qhov Chaw Muaj Lus Qhia Tshwj Xeeb Rau Ntau Feem Ntawm Yahara Chain
Wisconsin River, Hat Rapids Flowage Current PFOS-based advice Wisconsin River, below Hat Rapids Flowage to Lake Mohawksin Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued due to low sample size Wisconsin River, Lake Mohawksin Current PFOS-based advice Wisconsin River, Lake Wausau Qhov Chaw Muaj Lus Qhia Tshwj Xeeb Rau Wisconsin Niam Deg Nyob Ntawm Pas Dej Hiav Txwv Wausau
Wisconsin River, Stevens Point Flowage Wisconsin River, Biron Flowage Current PFOS-based advice Wisconsin River, Petenwell Flowage Current PFOS-based advice Wisconsin River, Castle Rock Lake Current PFOS-based advice Wisconsin River, Prairie du Sac to Mississippi River Previously sampled, PFOS-based advice not issued due to low sample size Yahara River (downstream to the Rock River), Dane County Qhov Chaw Muaj Lus Qhia Tshwj Xeeb Rau Ntau Feem Ntawm Yahara Chain
Deer Consumption and PFAS
Marinette/Peshtigo
In September 2020, the DNR and DHS issued a Do Not Eat Advisory for the liver of white-tailed deer in the Marinette area based on the results of PFAS sampling in deer tissue.
- What To Know About PFAS Found In Deer Liver In The Marinette and Peshtigo Area
- Lo que debe saber sobre los PFAS que se encuentra en el hígado de venado en el área de Marinette y Peshtigo
- Yam yuav tsum tau paub txog PFAS uas muaj nyob hauv mos lwj daim siab nyob rau thaj tsam Marinette thiab Peshtigo
Oneida County
In September 2025, the DNR and DHS issued a consumption advisory for deer harvested within 5 miles of the Town of Stella town hall in Oneida County. No more than one meal per month of muscle (i.e., venison) should be consumed from deer harvested in this area. Additionally, a Do Not Eat advisory is in effect for liver from deer harvested in this area.
Statewide Sampling Effort
To investigate background levels of PFAS in white-tailed deer throughout Wisconsin, the DNR analyzed liver samples from deer harvested during the November 2020 nine-day gun deer hunt. A total of 32 liver samples collected from 32 different counties were submitted for analysis. Only one liver sample had detectable levels of PFAS. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), the PFAS compound for which consumption advisories are based, was not detected in any samples.
After studying the results of this sampling effort, the DNR and DHS are not recommending a statewide consumption advisory for PFAS in white-tailed deer liver. Site-specific advisories for the Marinette area and the Town of Stella area remain in effect.
More information can be found on the Safely Eating Venison page.
Waterfowl Consumption and PFAS
In September 2025, the DNR issued consumption advisories for ducks harvested in the bay of Green Bay that apply to all people intending to consume waterfowl harvested from these waters.
Waterbody Status The waters south of a line from Longtail Point on the west shore of Green Bay to Point Au Sable on the east shore of Green Bay Mallards
Do not eatThe waters south of a line from the city of Marinette to Sturgeon Bay and north of Longtail Point on the west shore of Green Bay to Point Au Sable on the east shore of Green Bay Mallards
1 meal per monthWood Ducks
1 meal per week
