Experts Issue Warning About Eating Fish From 11 Louisiana Lakes

There are very few things as beautiful as a plate full of white perch or catfish filets, or whole fried bream, but apparently too many of them from 11 different Louisiana lakes could be extremely harmful to you.

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In a recent announcement from the Louisiana Department of Health, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, a total of 11 new or updated advisories have been issued for the consumption of fish from some Louisiana lakes and waterways.

These advisories were issued/updated due to the detection of unacceptable levels of mercury in fish or shellfish after recent fish sampling on these bodies of water.

While the advisories are essentially alike in many aspects, each is specific to those individual lakes or waterways.

Find each unique advisory by clicking on that body of water's link which we've highlighted below.

• Bayou Dorcheat
• Black Bayou Lake 
• Black Lake and Clear Lake
• Caddo Lake 
• Corney Lake 
• Grand Bayou Reservoir 
• Ivan Lake 
• Kepler Creek Lake
• Toledo Bend Reservoir 
• Vernon Lake 
• Lake Maurepas 

Is It Safe To Eat Fish From The Louisiana Lakes Listed?

The short answer to this question is yes, just not too much.  The advisories note that the average Louisiana resident would consume four meals of fish each month with each meal consisting of one half pound of fish.

The Department of Health suggests that any consumption over this amount from the highlighted waterways could increase health risks due to mercury consumption for the consumer.

Truth be told, even the most avid fried fish lover would find it hard to eat more than a half pound of fish four meals per month, but be advised, doing so certainly comes with a health risk.

What Are The Health Risks Of Consuming Too Much Mercury?

The Louisiana Department of Health states that mercury consumption at low levels usually causes no symptoms, but at high levels, the consumer would see complications including:

• Mercury build up in the human body and can affect the brain and nerves.
• Some of the health problems that have been found in children include birth defects and learning problems.
• Tingling or numbness in the mouth, hands and feet, and vision and hearing problems have been found in people of all ages who have come in contact with high levels of mercury (mercury poisoning).

See the full report concerning these advisories at the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality's website.