Eating Nelson Lake Fish

[Tymurrey]

Was going to take kids to Nelson, what are the thoughts of eating the bluegills or crappies from there. I always catch and release but the kids like to keep some for a meal when we go fishing.

 

[KDM]

I don't really have anything but general rules of thumb. One, oftentimes the fish that spend more time in artificially warm water contain more parasites. Two, fish diseases and maladies tend to be elevated in extended warm water conditions, and three, meat from fish from warmer waters tend to be "mushy" compared to cooler water. I will restate, that I don't have ANY concrete evidence that nelson lake fish are any different than any other fish in ND. Good Luck!!

 

[wales]

Was going to take kids to Nelson, what are the thoughts of eating the bluegills or crappies from there. I always catch and release but the kids like to keep some for a meal when we go fishing.

I would have no problem eating them now.

 

[Eatsleeptrap]

What KDM said. We fished Nelson a lot, but that was 38 years ago. No problems with taste or parasites, but a definite texture issue.

 

[Rut2much]

I like to use a thermometer whilst cooking but also demand my sushi raw. I'd say eat away!

 

[walleyewanker]

It would be the last place in the state that I'd keep fish from.

 

[JUSTWINGNIT]

It would be the last place in the state that I'd keep fish from.

why is that? that discharge water is cleaner than what is brought in. Granted it is warmer but... I do agree though that the meat is more "mushy" in texture.

 

[svnmag]

AI Overview

Fish from Nelson Lake, North Dakota are generally safe to eat in moderation, though they do contain low levels of naturally occurring mercury. Because mercury bioaccumulates in the food chain, larger predatory fish carry higher risks than smaller panfish.

North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (.gov) +3
State health guidelines help you make safe consumption choices:

• For the general public: You can safely eat smaller fish, but larger species should be consumed less frequently.
• For children (15 and younger) and pregnant or nursing women: These groups are more sensitive to mercury. It is recommended to occasionally eat only smaller fish and avoid larger species entirely.
• General Rule: No specific, restrictive "do not eat" advisory is in place for Nelson Lake. However, the EPA recommends limiting meals of larger, predatory fish (like large bass) to be on the safe side.
  
  
  North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (.gov) +2

Always review the complete North Dakota Fish Consumption Advisory from the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality for exact portion and frequency guidelines.