Click here to view the 2008 South Carolina Fish Consumption Advisories
(includes clickable map)
DHEC issues advisories specific to a waterbody and the fish in that waterbody. If a waterbody or type of fish is not listed, it means that DHEC has not issued any consumption advice.
Advisories are based on one meal of fish. One meal is a half-pound or eight ounces of fish. This is weight of the fish before you cook it. Eight ounces of raw fish is the size of two decks of playing cards.
Eating fish with an advisory:
When you do eat fish from lakes, rivers, or streams with advisories, you should space your meals out according to the advice given. one meal per week means that you may eat fish with mercury once in that week. One meal per month means that you may eat fish with mercury just once in that month.
For example, blue catfish in the Edisto River have an advisory for one meal per month. So, if you eat a meal of blue catfish, you should not eat any more fish with any mercury advisory for the rest of that month. This includes other fish from the Edisto River as well as fish from anywhere else with an advisory. In this example, bluegill and black crappie also have a mercury advisory for the Edisto River. Largemouth bass from Lake Jocassee and bowfin (mudfish) in the Congaree River have an advisory too. You should not eat any of these fish in the same week that you ate the blue catfish from the Edisto River because they all have an advisory.
Smart fishing begins with knowing what you've caught. We have included a page to help you identify some common fish in South Carolina.
Bureau of Water . Phone: (803) 898-4300 . Fax: (803) 898-4215 . Contact Us