The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) continues to recommend that people eat no more than one serving per month of smelt from Lake Superior due to elevated levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a perfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS).
Can you eat smelts from Lake Superior?
People eating smelt from the northernmost Great Lake should eat no more than one serving per month, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday. A serving is eight ounces (about two to three of the sardine-sized fish) for adults and two or four ounces for children.
Are the fish in Lake Superior safe to eat?
In Lake Superior, whitefish and yellow perch can be eaten up to once a month, but lake trout should only be consumed once a month.
Are smelt safe to eat?
Smelt is a very commonly found food source. They’re small, silvery fish that are often served on their own pan-fried in flour and butter or deep-fried in batter. In North America, smelt is usually eaten in the northern United States and in Canada.
What happened to the smelt in Lake Superior?
Smelt numbers have declined significantly from peak abundance in the 1970s because of predation by an increasing lake trout population and the establishment of Pacific salmon, interactions with lake herring, and the usual decline that is typical after the initial boom of an invading exotic species.
Do smelts have mercury?
Fish and shellfish that contain higher levels of these fatty acids and are also low in mercury include: anchovy, capelin, char, hake, herring, Atlantic mackerel, mullet, pollock ( Boston bluefish), salmon, smelt, rainbow trout, lake whitefish, blue crab, shrimp, clam, mussel and oyster.
Are smelt running in Michigan?
The Lake Michgian smelt run is typically between late March and the end of April. Smelt in Lake Michigan have declined dramatically since their peak in the mid-1980’s. A half-full pail has been considered a very good catch in recent years.
Is there mercury in Lake Superior?
Among the Great Lakes, Lake Superior has the highest mercury levels in fish and lowest levels in water and sediment. Studies conducted over the past 10 years have added to understanding of mercury in the Lake Superior ecosystem and yielded important insights.
Is Lake Superior water drinkable?
Do you drink the lake water? Lake Superior is the cleanest of the Great Lakes, and many people drink the water regularly (even in their homes).
Is salmon from Lake Superior safe to eat?
GLIFWC documented that Lake Superior whitefish and lake herring had low chemical contaminant levels, so by choosing these species, women of child bearing age and children can get health benefits from eating fish while reducing their risk from chemical contaminants.
Is smelt a healthy fish to eat?
Rainbow smelt are a low-fat, low-calorie, low-mercury source of vitamin B12, selenium and omega-3 fatty acids.
Are the smelt running in Duluth 2022?
May 8 • 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm. Run Smelt Run is a non-motorized, outdoor parade performance on May 8th, 2022, in celebration of the annual smelt run on Lake Superior.
What do smelts taste like?
Smelt has a oily, mild taste and a soft texture. The 6-10 inch fish has an odor and flavor like freshly cut cucumber. Freshwater Smelt are considered less oily than saltwater Smelt. Smelt are usually eaten whole- including head, bones, and all.
Are smelt still in the Great Lakes?
Smelt populations in the Great Lakes are no longer as large as they once were and smelt dipping has suffered accordingly. The best smelt dipping these days is in Upper Peninsula streams. But an unusual hook-and-line fishery has developed during the winter.
Why is there no smelt in Lake Michigan?
Another reason there are so few smelt in the lake is because of the rapidly multiplying population of invasive zebra mussels in the lake. Because zebra mussels are relatively new to Lake Michigan and because they compete with fish for lake plankton (food), there is less food available for consumption.
Are smelt fresh or saltwater fish?
Smelt is anadromous – a fish that is born in fresh water – and it returns to the sea as a juvenile. It spends most of its life in salt water before returning to fresh water again to spawn. The cycle then repeats. Like smelt, stripped bass and salmon are also anadromous.
Which fish is high in mercury?
Overall, larger and longer-lived fish tend to contain the most mercury ( 4 ). These include shark, swordfish, fresh tuna, marlin, king mackerel, tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico, and northern pike ( 5 ). Larger fish tend to eat many smaller fish, which contain small amounts of mercury.
Is there a season for smelt?
Seasonal availability
Wild-caught surf smelt is usually caught in California from June through September, but availability may vary.
How many smelt can you keep in Michigan?
Smelt season is open for the entire year for hook and line fishing. There is no size limit but the daily possession limit is two (2) gallons. For more information on smelt fishing in Michigan, visit michigan.gov/fishing.
Are smelts the same as sardines?
Smelt are known for their fine flavor. These small, silvery-green fish, also known as rainbow smelt, are similar in appearance to sardines and anchovies. Most adult fish are 7 to 9 inches long and weigh up to 6 ounces. Smelt are not only loaded with healthy nutrients, but also are low in mercury.
Is Lake Superior whitefish safe to eat?
Yes! Whitefish are safe to eat. They are also some of the healthiest foods available. The benefits of consuming whitefish are much greater than the risks of contaminant exposure.