### Fish Consumption Advisories

• NC Department of Cultural Resources: North Carolina Geography in a Snap: Bodies of Water • NC Department of Cultural Resources: Rivers 

### Statewide Advisories Current Advisories for N.C. Fish consumption advisories are issued by the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, N.C. Division of Public Health. Learn more about this OEE program. Find current fish advisories for the state of North Carolina and for specific bodies of water in North Carolina. You may also use the Reports by Countyindex to browse all available OEE reports, including fish advisories, hazardous site assessments, and community health studies. Learn more about lakes and rivers in North Carolina:

Pollutant: Mercury Date Issued/Updated: April 2, 2008 Advisory: Women of Childbearing Age (15-44 years), Pregnant Women, Nursing Women, and Children under 15: Do not eat fish high in mercury, including largemouth bass caught in the state. Eat up to two meals per week of fish low in mercury. A meal is 6 ounces of uncooked fish for adults, or 2 ounces of uncooked fish for children under 15. Page 1 of 1 9 N C DPH: Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology: Current N.C. Fish Consumptio n ...

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### Site-Specific Advisories by Body of Water

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• Albemarle Sound All Other Individuals: Eat no more than one meal per week of fish high in mercury, including largemouth bass caught in the state. Eat up to four meals per week of fish low in mercury. A meal is 6 ounces of uncooked fish for adults, or 2 ounces of uncooked fish for children under 15. Affected Fish: Fish high in mercury Learn more about mercury in fish
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Affected Counties: Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington Page 2 of 1 9 N C DPH: Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology: Current N.C. Fish Consumptio n ...

9 / 17 /201 5 http://epi.publich ealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.htm l• Badin Lake Site: Albemarle Sound from Bull Bay to Harvey Point; West to the mouth of the Roanoke River and to the mouth of the Chowan River to the U.S. Highway 17 Bridge Pollutant: Dioxins Date Issued: October 2001 Advisory: Catfish and carp from these waters may contain low levels of dioxins. Women of childbearing age and children should not eat any catfish or carp from this area until further notice. All other persons should eat no more than one meal per month of catfish and carp from this area. Swimming, boating, and other re creational activities present no known significant health risks and are not affected by this advisory. Back to top B

Affected Counties: Montgomery, Stanly Pollutants: Mercury , Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Date Issued: February 11, 2009 Advisory: Elevated levels of chemicals called PCBs, along with mercury, may be found in catfish and largemouth bass in these waters. Pregnant women, women who may b ecome pregnant, and children under 15 should avoid eating catfish and larg emouth bass from this lake due to high levels of mercury as well as PC Bs. Other people should eat no more than one meal per week of catfish and largemouth bass from this lake. See the related public health consultation and fish tissue study
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9 / 17 /201 5 http://epi.publich ealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.htm l• Brier Creek

• Brier Creek, Little (See Little Brier Creek)

• Chatuge Lake Please also see the statewide mercury advisory
.
Affected Counties: Wake Site: Downstream of Brier Creek Reservoir; See also Lake Crabtreeand Little Brier Creek Pollutant: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Date Issued: May 7, 2004 Advisory: Do not eat any fish from Brier Creek. High levels of PCBs have been found in the fish. Swimming, boating, and other recreational activities present no known significant health risks from PCBs and are not affected by this advisory. PCB- related risks, if any, from these activities have been shown to be neglig ible. If future testing reveals new information, then new advice will be given and new signs will be issued.
Back to top C

Affected Counties: Clay Pollutant: Mercury Date Issued: December 14, 2012 Advisory: Elevated levels of mercury may be found in white bass or largemouth bass caught in Lake Chatuge. Women of childbearing age (15-44 years) and children under 15 should not eat any white bass or Page 4 of 1 9 N C DPH: Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology: Current N.C. Fish Consumptio n ...

9 / 17 /201 5 http://epi.publich ealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.htm l• Crabtree Creek

• Crabtree, Lake (See Lake Crabtree )

• Dan River largemouth bass caught in Lake Chatuge. All other persons should eat no more than one meal (6 ounces) per week of white bass or largemouth bass caught in the lake. Swimming, boati ng, other recreational activities, and handling the fish present no known significant health risks and are not affected by this advisory. State health officials are unable to positively identify the original sources of the contamination, but have determined that airborne sources such as wind-blown dust are the most likely source. Please also see the statewide mercury advisory
.
Affected Counties: Wake Site: Above Lake Crabtree and below Lake Crabtree to where it enters the Neuse River Pollutant: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Date Issued: March 31, 2006 Advisory: Limit consumption of carp, catfish, and largemouth bass from Crabtree Creek to no more than one meal per month. High levels of PCBs have been found in carp, catfish, and largemouth bass from these waters.
Back to top D

Affected Counties: Caswell, Rockingham Page 5 of 1 9 N C DPH: Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology: Current N.C. Fish Consumptio n ...

9 / 17 /201 5 http://epi.publich ealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.htm l• Falls Reservoir Site: Dan River in North Carolina downstream of the Duke Energy – Dan River Steam Station spill site Pollutant: Coal ash Date Revised: February 27, 2015 Fish and Shellfish Consumption: On February 2, 2014, there was a release of coal ash to the Dan River from a waste ash pond on the Duke Energy - Dan River Steam Station near Eden, North Carolina. As a result, we recommend that people do not eat any fish or shellfish from the Dan River downstream of the spill in North Carolina’s Rockingham and Caswell counties. We do not yet have the information needed to determine if eating fish or shellfish presents a health hazard or not. We are working with other agencies to collect fish downstream of the spill. We are evaluating the data from fish sampling as it becomes available to identify when eating the fish is no longer a concern. Recreational Water Use: Contaminant levels related to the coal ash spill should not present a health risk during recreational use of the river. The most recent surface water and sediment data indicate that no health hazards are expected while boating or swimming. As an added precaution, if you come in contact with what appears to be coal ash, wash your skin off with soap and water. See also Dan River Coal Ash Spill (Duke Energy – Dan River Steam Station Site) Back to top F

Affected Counties: Montgomery, Stanly Page 6 of 1 9 N C DPH: Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology: Current N.C. Fish Consumptio n ...

9 / 17 /201 5 http://epi.publich ealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.htm l• Fontana Lake Site: See also Yadkin-Pee Dee River System Pollutant: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Date Issued: March 13, 2013 Advisory: Levels of chemicals called PCBs were found above the state action level (0.05 mg/kg) in catfishspecies larger than 18 inches (450 mm) in Falls Reservoir. Prior studies of catfishin the state's lakes and rivers have identified elevated levels of mercury south and east of U.S. Highway I-85 . The recommended number of meals for catfish as a result of the mercury advisory is also protective of potential health effects associated with eating catfish contaminated with PCBs in this lake. The recommended mercury advisory for catfish in this area is: Pregnant women, nursing women, women who may become pregnant, and children under age 15 should not eat any catfish from this lake

. Other people should not eat more than one meal a week. A meal of fish is approximately six (6) ounces of uncooked fish. See the related public health risk assessment of fish and sediment
. Please also see the statewide mercury advisory
.
Affected Counties: Graham and Swain Site: See also Santeetlah Lake(Graham County) Pollutant: Mercury Date Issued: September 10, 2008 Advisory: Pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, and children under 15 should avoid eating walleye from Santeetlah and Page 7 of 1 9 N C DPH: Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology: Current N.C. Fish Consumptio n ...

9 / 17 /201 5 http://epi.publich ealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.htm l• Gaston, Lake (See Lake Gaston )

• Glenville Reservoir Fontana lakes due to high levelsof mercury. Other people should limit their consumption of those fish to no more than one meal per week. Please also see the statewide mercury advisory
. Back to top G

Affected Counties: Jackson Pollutant: Mercury Date Issued: December 9, 2014 Advisory: Testing detected elevated levels of mercury in walleye in the Glenville Reservoir exceeding the N.C. Division of Public Health’s action level for mercury of 0.4 mg/kg. Previous studies have shown that largemouth bass in all waters of North Carolina have elevated levels of mercury. The N.C. Division of Public Health recommends that pregnant women, nursing women, women who may become pregnant, and children under age 15 should not eat any walleye and largemouth bass from Glenville Reservoir. Other individuals should not eat more than one meal per month of walleye and one meal per week of largemouth bass from Glenville Reservoir. A meal of fish is approximately 6 ounces prior to cooking. Recreational Water Use: The elevated levels of mercury in walleye and largemouth bass does not present a known health risk for people engaging in recreational activities such as touching the water, wading, swimming, boating, or handling the fish. Page 8 of 1 9 N C DPH: Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology: Current N.C. Fish Consumptio n ...

9 / 17 /201 5 http://epi.publich ealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.htm l• High Rock Lake Please also see the statewide mercury advisory
. Back to top H

Affected Counties: Davidson, Rowan Site: See also Yadkin-Pee Dee River System Pollutant: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Date Issued: March 13, 2013 Advisory: Levels of chemicals called PCBs were found above the state action level (0.05 mg/kg) in catfishspecies larger than 18 inches (450 mm) in High Rock Lake. Prior studies of catfishin the state's lakes and rivers have identified elevated levels of mercury south and east of U.S. Highway I-85 . The recommended number of meals for catfish as a result of the mercury advisory is also protective of potential health effects associated with eating catfish contaminated with PCBs in this lake. The recommended mercury advisory for catfish in this area is: Pregnant women, nursing women, women who may become pregnant, and children under age 15 should not eat any catfish from this lake

. Other people should not eat more than one meal a week. A meal of fish is approximately six (6) ounces of uncooked fish. See the related public health risk assessment of fish and sediment
. Please also see the statewide mercury advisory
. Back to top L Page 9 of 1 9 N C DPH: Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology: Current N.C. Fish Consumptio n ...

9 / 17 /201 5 http://epi.publich ealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.htm l• Lake Chatuge (See Chatuge Lake )

• Lake Crabtree

• Lake Fontana (See Fontana Lake )

• Lake Gaston Affected Counties: Wake Site: See also Brier Creek and Little Brier Creek Pollutant: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Date Issued: May 7, 2004 Advisory: Do not eat carp or catfish from Lake Crabtree. High levels of PCBs have been found in these fish. Limit consumption of all other fish from Lake Crabtree to no more thanone meal per month. When in doubt about the fish species, do not eat any of the fish. Swimming, boating, and other recreational activities present no known significant health risks from PCBs and are not affected by this advisory. PCB-related risks, if any, from these activities have been shown to be negligible. If future testing reveals new information, then new advice will be given and new signs will be issued.

Affected Counties: Halifax, Northampton and Warren Pollutant: Mercury Date Issued: November 18, 2009 Advisory: Elevated levels of mercury may be found in walleye and largemouth bass in these waters. Pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, and children under 15 should avoid eating walleye and largemouth bass from this lake due to high levels of mercury. Other people should eat no more than one to two meals per month of walleye or largemouth bass from this lake. Page 10 of 1 9 N C DPH: Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology: Current N.C. Fish Consumpti
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9 / 17 /201 5 http://epi.publich ealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.htm l• Lake Nantahala (See Nantahala Lake )

• Lake Norman

• Lake Santeetlah (See Santeetlah Lake )

• Lake Tillery Please also see the statewide mercury advisory
.

Affected Counties: Catawba, Iredell, Lincoln and Mecklenburg Pollutants: Mercury , Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Date Issued: April 9, 2013 Advisory: Levels of PCBs have been found in striped bass in Lake Norman that exceed the state action level for PCBs of 0.05 mg/kg. Because previous studies have shown th at largemouth bass in all waters of North Carolina have elevated levels of mercury, this advisory for Lake Norman includes largemouth bass as well as striped bass. Pregnant women, nursing women, women who may become pregnant, and children under age 15 should not eat any striped bass or largemouth bass from Lake Norman. To guard against mercury exposure and potential PCB exposure, other people should not eat more than two meals a month of largemouth bass and one meal a week of striped bass from Lake Norman. A meal of fish is considered approximately six (6) ounces of uncooked fish. Please also see the statewide mercury advisory
.

Affected Counties: Montgomery, Stanly Site: See also Yadkin-Pee Dee River System Pollutant: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Date Issued: March 13, 2013 Page 11 of 1 9 N C DPH: Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology: Current N.C. Fish Consumpti
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9 / 17 /201 5 http://epi.publich ealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.htm l• Lake Wylie

• Little Brier Creek Advisory: Levels of chemicals called PCBs were found above the state action level (0.05 mg/kg) in catfishspecies larger than 18 inches (450 mm) in Lake Tillery. Prior studies of catfishin the state's lakes and rivers have identified elevated levels of mercury south and east of U.S. Highway I-85 . The recommended number of meals for catfish as a result of the mercury advisory is also protective of potential health effects associated with eating catfish contaminated with PCBs in this lake. The recommended mercury advisory for catfish in this area is: Pregnant women, nursing women, women who may become pregnant, and children under age 15 should not eat any catfish from this lake

. Other people should not eat more than one meal a week. A meal of fish is approximately six (6) ounces of uncooked fish. See the related public health risk assessment of fish and sediment
. Please also see the statewide mercury advisory
.
Affected Counties: Gaston and Mecklenburg Pollutants: Mercury , Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Date Issued: December 23, 2011 Advisory: Elevated levels of PCBs have been found in largemouth bass in Lake Wylie. In addition, previous studies have shown that largemouth bass in all waters of North Carolina have elevated levels of mercury. Pregnant women, nursing women, women who may become pregnant, and children under age 15 should not eat any largemouth bass. To guard against mercury and PCB exposure, other people should not eat more than two meals a month of largemouth bass from this lake. Please also see the statewide mercury advisory
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9 / 17 /201 5 http://epi.publich ealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.htm l• Mountain Island Lake Affected Counties: Wake Site: Downstream of Brier Creek Parkway. Includes tributaries to Little Brier Creek and Brier Creek Reservoir; See also Brier Creek and Lake Crabtree Pollutant: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Date Issued: December 8, 2003 Advisory: Do not eat fish from Little Brier Creek (downstream of Brier Creek Parkway), its tributaries, and Brier Creek Reservoir. Fish from these waters are not safe to eat. Hi gh levels of PCBs have been found in the fish. Back to top M

Affected Counties: Gaston, Mecklenburg Pollutant: Mercury , Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Date Issued: April 25, 2013 Advisory: Update to the advisory issued January 6, 2011. Testing has shown levels of PCBs in blue catf ish and channel catfish in Mountain Island Lake exceeding the state action level for PCBs of 0.05 mg/kg. Previous studies have shown that largemouth bass in all waters of North Carolina have elevated levels of mercury. DHHS recommends that no one eat channel catfish from Mountain Island Lake. In addition, public health officials recommend that pregnant women, nursing women, women who may become pregnant, and children under age 15 should not eat any largemouth bass or blue catfish from Mountain Island Lake. Page 1 3 of 1 9 N C DPH: Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology: Current N.C. Fish Consumpti
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9 / 17 /201 5 http://epi.publich ealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.htm l• Nantahala Lake Other people should not eat more than two meals a month of largemouth bass and one meal a month of blue catf ish from this lake. A meal of fish is approximately six (6) ounces of uncooked fish. The PCB and mercury contamination does not present a known health risk for persons engaging in other recreational activites such as touching the water, wading, swimming, boating or handling the fish. Please also see the statewide mercury advisory
. Back to top N

Affected Counties: Macon Pollutant: Mercury Date Issued: December 14, 2012 Advisory: Smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch and largemouth bass caught in the lake may contain elevated levels of mercury. Women of childbearing age (15-44 years) and children under 15 should not eat any smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch or largemouth bass caught in Nantahala Lake. All other persons should eat no more than one meal (6 ounces) per week of smallmouth bass, walleye, yellow perch or largemouth bass caught in Nantahala Lake. Swimming, boating, other recreational activities, and handling the fish present no known significant health risks and are not affected by this advisory. State health officials are unable to positively identify the original sources of thecontamination, but have determined that airborne sources such as windblown dust are the most likely source. Please also see the statewide mercury advisory
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9 / 17 /201 5 http://epi.publich ealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.htm l• Neuse River

• Pee Dee River (See Yadkin-Pee Dee River System)

• Roanoke River Affected Counties: Wake Site: Just below Crabtree Creek to Auburn-Knightdale Road Pollutant: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Date Issued: April 2, 2008 Advisory: Limit consumption of carp and catfish to no more than one meal per month. High levels of PC Bs may be found in carp and catfish from these waters. Back to top P
Back to top R

Affected Counties: Bertie, Martin and Washington Site: From the U. S. Hwy 17 bridge near Williamston to mouth of Albemarle Sound Pollutant: Dioxins Date Issued: October 2001 Advisory: Catfish and carp from these waters may contain low levels of dioxins. Women of childbearing age and children should not eat any Page 1 5 of 1 9 N C DPH: Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology: Current N.C. Fish Consumpti
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9 / 17 /201 5 http://epi.publich ealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.htm l• Rocky Branch

• Santeetlah Lake catfish or carp from this area until further notice. All other persons should eat no more than one meal per month of catfish and carp from this area. Swimming, boating, and other re creational activities present no known significant health risks and are not affected by this advisory.

Affected Counties: Wake Site: Just upstream of the Neuse River; See also Walnut Creek Pollutant: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Date Issued: April 2, 2008 Advisory: Limit consumption of carp and catfish to no more than one meal per month and limit consumption of all other fish to no more than one meal per week from these waters . High levels of PCBs may be found in these fish. Back to top S

Affected Counties: Graham Site: See also Fontana Lake(Graham and Swain Counties) Pollutant: Mercury Date Issued: September 10, 2008 Advisory: Pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, and children under 15 should avoid eating walleye from Santeetlah and Page 1 6 of 1 9 N C DPH: Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology: Current N.C. Fish Consumpti
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9 / 17 /201 5 http://epi.publich ealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.htm l• Walnut Creek

• Welch Creek Fontana lakes due to high levelsof mercury. Other people should limit their consumption of those fish to no more than one meal per week. Please also see the statewide mercury advisory
. Back to top W

Affected Counties: Wake Site: Just upstream of the Neuse River; See also Rocky Branch Pollutant: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Date Issued: April 2, 2008 Advisory: Limit consumption of carp and catfish to no more than one meal per month and limit consumption of all other fish to no more than one meal per week from these waters . High levels of PCBs may be found in these fish.

Affected Counties: Beaufort, Martin, and Washington Site: The entire creek in Beaufort, Martin, and Washington counties Pollutant: Dioxins Date Issued: October 2001 Advisory: Catfish and carp from these waters may contain low levels of dioxins. Women of childbearing age and children should not eat any catfish or carp from this area until further notice. All other persons Page 1 7 of 1 9 N C DPH: Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology: Current N.C. Fish Consumpti
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9 / 17 /201 5 http://epi.publich ealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.htm l• Wylie, Lake (See Lake Wylie )

• Yadkin-Pee Dee River System should eat no more than one meal per month of catfish and carp from this area. Swimming, boating, and other re creational activities present no known significant health risks and are not affected by this advisory.
Back to top Y

Affected Counties: Davidson, Montgomery, Rowan, Stanly Site: See also Falls Reservoir , High Rock Lake , Lake Tillery Pollutant: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) Date Issued: March 13, 2013 Advisory: Levels of chemicals called PCBs were found above the state action level (0.05 mg/kg) in catfishspecies larger than 18 inches (450 mm) in the Yadkin-Pee Dee River System. Prior studies of catfishin the state's lakes and rivers have identified elevated levels of mercury south and east of U.S. Highway I-85 . The recommended number of meals for catfish as a result of the mercury advisory is also protective of potential health effects associated with eating catfish contaminated with PCBs in this lake. The recommended mercury advisory for catfish in this area is: Pregnant women, nursing women, women who may become pregnant, and children under age 15 should not eat any catfish from this lake

. Other people should not eat more than one meal a week. A meal of fish is approximately six (6) ounces of uncooked fish. See the related public health risk assessment of fish and sediment
. Please also see the statewide mercury advisory
. Page 18 of 1 9 N C DPH: Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology: Current N.C. Fish Consumpti
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9 / 17 /201 5 http://epi.publich ealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.htm lBack to top Page 1 9 of 1 9 N C DPH: Occupational & Environmental Epidemiology: Current N.C. Fish Consumpti
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9 / 17 /201 5 http://epi.publich ealth.nc.gov/oee/fish/advisories.htm l