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 consumption advisories.
- Fish Consumption and PFAS
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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
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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 Current 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 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
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Wisconsin has one current consumption advisory for deer.
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. More information can be found on the safely eating wild game page.
- 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
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, but the site-specific advisory in the Marinette area is still in effect.
