Consumption Advisories and PFAS

The DNR works closely with the Wisconsin 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]. The DNR's Fisheries Management Program manages fish consumption advisories, and the 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.

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 specific 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 (Table 1 below) should be followed. You are at higher risk if you are currently pregnant or nursing, may become pregnant in the next 3-5 years or are under age 15. You are at lower risk if you are not pregnant, not likely to become pregnant in the next 3-5 years, not nursing and over the age of 15. Serving size (Table 2 below) is based on a person’s body weight.

Table 1: General Statewide Fish Consumption Advisory

Fish Species	Maximum Number Of Servings Per Month For Higher Risk Populations	Maximum Number Of Servings Per Month For Lower Risk Populations
Bluegill, crappies, yellow perch, sunfish, rock bass, bullheads, inland trout	4	Unrestricted
Musky	DO NOT EAT	1
Walleye, northern pike, bass, catfish, all other species not listed here	1	4

Table 2: Serving Size By Body Weight

Your Body Weight	Fillet Weight Before Cooking
75 pounds	1/4 pound (4 ounces)
150 pounds	1/2 pound (8 ounces)
225 pounds	3/4 pound (12 ounces)

For the waterbodies where increased levels of pollutants have been measured, specific fish consumption advice should be followed.

In Wisconsin, mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are the pollutants upon which most specific fish consumption is based. However, at some sites, elevated levels of other pollutants, including dioxins and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a type of PFAS, are the basis for specific 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 specific 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

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Where The DNR Has Sampled Fish For PFAS

The DNR has sampled fish for PFAS (including PFOS and PFOA) in the waterbodies listed in the following sections. Efforts are underway to sample fish from more locations and to resample locations previously sampled. Locations that were sampled for PFAS but did not warrant a PFOS-based advisory in some fish species 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.

Waterbodies With Fish Consumption Advisories

The DNR has issued PFAS-based fish consumption advisories for the waterbodies in these areas:

• Lake Michigan, Green Bay and Tributaries
• La Crosse River and Silver Creek, Monroe and La Crosse counties
• Lake Superior and tributaries and Mississippi River
• Town of Stella, Oneida County
• Wisconsin River
• Yahara Chain, Dane County

Waterbodies Without PFAS-Based Fish Consumption Advisories

The DNR sampled fish in the waterbodies included in this section but did not issue fish consumption advisories based on PFAS levels. Consumption advisories based on other types of contamination (e.g., mercury or PCBs) may be in place for these locations. 

Name of Waterbody	Location
Black Earth Creek	Dane and Iowa counties
Lake Mendota	Dane County
Lake Wingra	Dane County
Lake Winnebago	Winnebago, Calumet and Fond du Lac counties
Manitowoc River	Hayton Millpond
Manitowoc River	Jordan Creek
Mauthe Lake	Fond du Lac County
Menominee River	Chalk Hills Flowage
Menominee River	Grand Rapids Flowage
Menominee River	Lower Scott Flowage
Milwaukee River Estuary	Milwaukee County
Milwaukee River	Grafton to Estabrook Falls
Mississippi River	Pool 8
Osprey Lake	Sawyer County
Peshtigo River	High Falls Flowage
St. Louis River	Douglas County
Warner Park Lagoons	Dane County

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
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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.

Map of the deer consumption advisories for an area five miles from Starks

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.

• 2020 Deer Liver PFAS Results Summary Report

More information can be found on the Safely Eating Venison webpage.

Waterfowl Consumption And PFAS

In September 2025, the DNR issued consumption advisories for ducks harvested in two different sections of the Bay of Green Bay. These consumption advisories apply to all people intending to consume waterfowl harvested from these waters.

For 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, the consumption advisory is:

Species	Consumption Advisory
Mallards	DO NOT EAT

For the 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, the consumption advisory is:

Species	Consumption Advisory
Mallards	Up to 1 meal per month
Wood Duck	Up to 1 meal per week

Map of the Bay of Green Bay showing duck consumption advisories