ILLINOIS — A statewide methylmercury advisory has been issued that applies to all Illinois waters.

IDPH recommends that women of childbearing age and children limit their consumption of predatory fish, such as bass, sauger, walleye, flathead catfish, gar, muskellunge, northern pike, trout, and salmon to no more than one meal per week unless more restrictive advisories are in place.

Site-specific advisories in our listening areas include the Big Muddy River and its tributaries in Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Marion, Perry, Union, Washington and Williamson counties including Beaucoup Creek and Little Muddy River where consumption of largemouth bass, crappie Channel Catfish, and common carp should be limited, due to methylmercury and PCB concerns. Also, the consumption of game fish from Casey Fork Creek in Jefferson County should be limited.

In Marion County, methylmercury and PCB contaminants are a concern in Lake Centralia and consumption of game fish from that lake should be limited, as well.

And consumption of Largemouth Bass from the Nashville City Lake should be limited to one meal a week due to methylmercury.

If your water is not listed on the Department of Health website, you should still follow the statewide methylmercury advisory.