They are our most popular sports species. And by virtue that they are the top predator, they bioaccumulate mercury. Sampling of over 200 lakes and streams throughout Arkansas has shown a relationship between the length or age of the fish and the amount of mercury in the fish. This was especially true for the largemouth bass. Crappie and bream, fish that are not at the top of the food chain, had low concentrations and were taken off the advisory list.
Fish is an important, low-fat source of protein.
Know the guidlelines for eating fish from areas under a mercury notice. There are not any special cleaning or cooking methods that will decrease the amount of mercury in fish. This is because mercury is stored in the meat portion of the fish instead of the fat or skin. In most cases, younger, smaller fish contain less mercury. Choose fish like bream, buffalo, red horse and crappie that don't mainly eat other fish.