Pollution...

[Moto]

Hey what’s up everybody! 

Ive bumped into a problem I didn’t think I would bump into when I took up fishing, but here it is:

I understand that once in a while everyone will lose lures. It happens. But the problem begins when those lost lures which either got snagged or broke off by a fish, end up in the water. Now these lures, sinkers and hooks, all contain levels of lead, which is obviously toxic. And this lead is now getting lost in the water, which potentially stays in the water for a very long amount of time, and more lures are ending up in the water as time comes and goes. 

I like to eat my catches, which is mainly trout, but could even be bass once in a while. 

Should I refrain from eating freshwater fish? 

It scares me on how so much pollution is ending up in the water....

[Bluebasser86]

Contact your local DNR, they should have some information on bodies of water if they have high levels of heavy metals. Kansas puts out warnings on bodies of water where fish shouldn't be consumed but it doesn't stop a lot of people. 

[CroakHunter]

1 hour ago, Mottel said:

Hey what’s up everybody! 

Ive bumped into a problem I didn’t think I would bump into when I took up fishing, but here it is:

I understand that once in a while everyone will lose lures. It happens. But the problem begins when those lost lures which either got snagged or broke off by a fish, end up in the water. Now these lures, sinkers and hooks, all contain levels of lead, which is obviously toxic. And this lead is now getting lost in the water, which potentially stays in the water for a very long amount of time, and more lures are ending up in the water as time comes and goes. 

I like to eat my catches, which is mainly trout, but could even be bass once in a while. 

Should I refrain from eating freshwater fish? 

It scares me on how so much pollution is ending up in the water....

People have been using lead weights for a long time. People are still alive and still eat fish. I'd say you'll be alright. 

[Black Hawk Basser]

Unless you eat fish daily, I would guess there's not much to worry about.

[Steve1357]

imho, It's the mercury and PCB levels you should be worrying about.

 

Our game and fish rulebook outlines all the bodies of water you should not eat fish from, or limit the types, quantities, etc. I assume you have access to something similar.

 

https://www.agfc.com/en/fishing/general-fishing-regulations/

 

 

[NHBull]

I believe the medical field on says NO FISH for pregnant women.  

Heard that NH recommended no more than 6-10 native fish per month.

Talked to a buddy at fish and game, and he said it depends on the body of water.

There are bodies of water that he would consume less and others much more. The issue is isn't lead from fishing gear but local rain run off and former past ways of disposing chemicals and waste 

 

Edit...On a side note, the restrictions on lead started on my home pond where the loons were dying from eating lead weights.  It quickly spread to other NE states

[Spankey]

Our state shows consumption rates on different fish and bodies of water. Possibly due to mercury. I don't think lost lures plays into it. 

[N Florida Mike]

I wouldn't worry about it.

I've been eating fairly large quantities of fish ( fresh and salt ) all my life , and I feel good, and thankfully have no chronic health issues.

I also believe that our waterways are cleaner in general than they were.

I also believe that a vocal minority get a lot of people worried about relatively minor issues. That's my take on it anyway.

[WRB]

Lead isn't water soluble, doesn't dissolve in the water. The lead band was originally started because of children eating lead based paint and migratory birds eating lead shotgun shot, both could digest lead into the blood stream. 

I haven't read where handling lead penetrates the skin and enters the blood stream, or small organisms having the ability to consume lead sinkers.

Regardless lead is banded in many states, oddly not in California for fishing and only shot shells, bullets and paint.

Tom

[Happybeerbuzz]

I find myself wondering what is worse.  One fish out of the bodies of water I fish or one diet soda.  

[WRB]

34 minutes ago, Happybeerbuzz said:

I find myself wondering what is worse.  One fish out of the bodies of water I fish or one diet soda.  

Slam dunk...diet soda!

Tom

[Deleted account]

5 hours ago, Steve1357 said:

imho, It's the mercury and PCB levels you should be worrying about.

This ^. While leaving lures, sinkers and other terminal tackle in the water is not a good thing, except for extreme cases, the threat is from other sources. Ironically mercury gets to even the most remote and seemingly pristine waters through rain and runoff. Unfortunatelly most fresh water fish everywhere have high levels of toxins. States have a lot of science on this, and have advisories on it. While pregnant women and children are at most risk, its a good idea to at least know the facts. The whole "My grand pappy smoked three packs a day and lived to be 95, so cigarettes don't cause cancer" mentality aside. 

[Vilas15]

The DNR here has a great website for info on fish consumption in Wisconsin. For example, for the lakes in Madison it's advised women and children only eat one meal per month of bass/walleye/catfish and only once a week for men. The lakes get a ton of stormwater drainage from the city. Lead is really a concern for the loons that eat small lead weights, but the danger for humans is mercury and PCBs which accumulate in fish over time, so larger/older fish are worse for you. As a general rule I only eat fish from isolated lakes up north with no urban drainage or known industry pollution (most large rivers). I also eat trout from small streams although I wouldn't even do that if I was in areas with mining out in PA, WV, etc. If you're at all concerned I'd stick to panfish since they are younger and should have less contaminants in them.

 

https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/consumption/

[Glaucus]

For me the biggest worry about so many break offs is having a hook go through the foot.

[WRB]

If you want to get paranoid study the foods commune and liquids you drink daily.

What goes down the drain can and does come back to be recycled by animals and vegetables, including virus and medicine to treat the desease or pain. Where do you draw the line? Eating a few fresh caught fish in waterways not posted with warnings isn't something anyone should too concerned, there is a lot worse in your super markets.

Tom

[Moto]

I only eat fish from an isolated small pond in middle of a forest, in a very rural town. Is it safe to eat those fish more than once a week? 

[sfpalatka]

I am with N Florida Mike. I have eaten a lot of saltwater fish. Have not began glowing at night yet  

[TnRiver46]

If I die from eating too many fish, then I had the best life in the history of mankind 

[Vilas15]

5 hours ago, Mottel said:

I only eat fish from an isolated small pond in middle of a forest, in a very rural town. Is it safe to eat those fish more than once a week? 

Sounds good to me. I see you're in CT so here's what I found online:

https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/dph/environmental_health/eoha/Fish_/2017IfICatchItEnglishpdf.pdf?la=en

[Moto]

How common is it for people to eat Largemouth Bass?

[N Florida Mike]

I don't think it's nearly as common as it used to be. As much as I love fish, bass aren't up at the top of my list to eat, esp.on the bone.I like bass filets, but would rather eat a good number of other fish more.

Bass apparently do have higher levels of mercury, but unless there's an advisory in the area, or you eat them more than once a week ( don't know anyone who eats bass that often ) I wouldn't be concerned.

[FishDewd]

This is why I'm glad to have my own pond.... free of BS pollutants. Over 40 years of happy catfish consumption here! Pond is so clean we even eat the bullheads/mudcats that appear... even they taste good!