Michigan’s New 2025 Eat Safe Fish Guides
Fishing in the Clinton River is increasingly popular. A Department of Natural Resources (DNR) survey found no living fish in the river in the 1960s, but today, a wide variety of species attracts anglers from across the watershed.
If you are a frequent angler or consumer of local fish, please check out the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services’ (MDHHS) recently released 2025 Eat Safe Fish Guides.
The guides have been updated in light of a recent scientific review of PFOS—a persistent chemical that doesn't break down easily. This review has given scientists more insight into its toxicity and impact on human health.
You're likely already familiar with PFAS, a group of widely-used, long-lasting chemicals that have been found in human and animal blood all over the world. These chemicals also show up at low levels in food products and the environment. They have been found in water, air, fish, and soil around the world.
You may also be aware that scientific studies have shown that some PFAS in the environment may cause harmful health effects for both humans and animals. There are thousands of PFAS chemicals, including PFOS, and they are used in consumer, commercial, and industrial products.
The review determined that PFOS, which is used to make products resistant to stains, grease, soil, and water, is a greater threat to human health than previously thought. As a result, the MDHHS’ new fish consumption guidelines include stricter thresholds for levels of PFOS found in Michigan fish.
The guides are meant to help Michigan residents choose which fish are safe to eat. They’re not mandates, but recommendations about which Michigan-caught fish are healthy to eat in various quantities.
Largemouth, smallmouth, and rock bass from the Clinton River in Macomb County (downstream of Yates Dam, including the North and Middle branches and the Red Run) now have “do not eat” recommendations from MDHHS due to PFOS. Some inland lakes, including Cass and Galloway Lakes in Oakland County also have do not eat advisories for specific fish species. Other fish species from different places in the watershed now have a recommendation to limit consumption to a certain number of servings per month. Check the 2025 Eat Safe Fish Guides for more details.
You can learn more about how to safely buy, eat or prepare safe fish at Michigan.gov/EatSafeFish.
We encourage anglers to continue to enjoy the Clinton River while being cautious about which fish they choose to eat and how much of it makes its way onto their dinner plates. You can also help us protect the Clinton’s health—visit our website to learn how you can help make a difference!