For the first time in half a century, families in New York can enjoy eating some of the fish they catch from the Lower Hudson River. This encouraging update comes as the New York State Department of Health releases revised guidance on safely consuming sport-caught fish across the state.

At Crestwood General, we support public health initiatives that help families make informed choices about their health and lifestyle. This article explains the latest fish consumption advice in clear, practical terms so anglers and their families can fish with confidence.

Why Fish Consumption Advice Matters

Fishing is more than a hobby in New York. It is a tradition, a source of fresh food, and a way to connect with nature. However, some fish can contain chemicals that build up in their tissue over time. Eating fish with high levels of these contaminants may pose health risks, especially for pregnant people, children, and developing babies.

The goal of fish consumption advice is simple: help people enjoy the benefits of eating fish while minimizing exposure to harmful chemicals. Fish are an excellent source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients that support heart and brain health. With the right guidance, anglers can make smart choices about which fish to keep and how often to eat them.

For more information on nutrition and healthy eating, visit the CDC Nutrition Resources.

Historic Update: Lower Hudson River Guidance Relaxed

After decades of environmental monitoring and remediation efforts, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels in certain fish species from the Lower Hudson River have declined significantly. This progress allows the Department of Health to relax previous restrictions.

What Changed for the Lower Hudson River

The Lower Hudson River stretches from the Rip Van Winkle Bridge in Catskill to the Battery in New York City. For the first time since the 1970s:

Sensitive populations (people who can become pregnant and children under 15) can eat up to one 8-ounce meal per month of striped bass and certain other species from this section
The general population can eat up to four 8-ounce meals per month of these same species

This update reflects highly protective PCB guidelines established in 2020 and years of improved water quality management.

What Has Not Changed

Not all fish from the Lower Hudson River are cleared for consumption. The Department still recommends that everyone avoid eating:

Carp
Smallmouth bass

These species continue to show higher PCB levels. For updates on other species, visit the NYSDOH Fish Advisory Page.

In the Mid-Hudson River section (from the Federal Dam at Troy to the Rip Van Winkle Bridge at Catskill), contaminant levels did not warrant advisory changes at this time. Additionally, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's "take no fish, eat no fish" regulation remains in effect between Hudson Falls and the Federal Dam in Troy.

New PFOS Guidelines Lead to More Restrictive Advice in Some Waters

While progress in the Lower Hudson River brings good news, emerging science on perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) has led to updated, more protective guidance for several other waterbodies.

PFOS is the most common type of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) found in fish. These chemicals do not break down easily in the environment and can accumulate in fish tissue. New York is among the first states to update fish consumption advice based on the latest PFOS research.

Waters with Updated PFOS-Based Advice

The following waterbodies now have revised consumption guidance due to PFOS levels:

Lake Ontario
Lake Erie
Upper Niagara River
Mohawk River between locks E20 and E21
Lake Champlain's Cumberland Bay
Lake George
Seneca Lake
Catharine Creek

These guidelines were developed through the Great Lakes Consortium Best Practices Workgroup, which includes New York, other Great Lakes states, Tribal Nations, and the Province of Ontario. This collaborative approach ensures that advice reflects the best available science and protects even the most sensitive populations.

For details on PFAS and public health, visit the CDC PFAS Information Page.

How to Reduce Chemical Exposure When Eating Caught Fish

Even when fish are safe to eat, simple preparation techniques can further reduce exposure to contaminants like PCBs:

Trim the skin and fat before cooking. PCBs accumulate in fatty tissue, so removing these parts can cut PCB levels in a meal by about half
Cook fish using methods that allow fat to drip away, such as grilling, broiling, or baking on a rack
When eating Hudson River crabs, remove the tomalley (the greenish "mustard" or hepatopancreas) and discard the cooking liquid, which contains most of the PCBs

These steps help maximize the nutritional benefits of fish while minimizing potential risks.

Understanding Fish Consumption Advice: Who Should Pay Close Attention

Fish consumption advice is tailored to different groups based on vulnerability to chemical exposure:

Sensitive Populations

People who can become pregnant, pregnant individuals, and children under 15 are more susceptible to the effects of contaminants like mercury, PCBs, and PFOS. Exposure during critical developmental periods may affect learning, behavior, and long-term health. For these groups, following consumption limits is especially important.

General Adult Population

Healthy adults face lower risks from these chemicals, so guidance for this group is typically less restrictive. This allows adults to enjoy sport-caught fish more frequently while still staying within safe exposure limits.

Older Adults

Research suggests that older adults may face fewer health risks from certain contaminants, which is reflected in less restrictive advice for this population.

Finding the Right Advice for Your Fishing Location

Not all waterbodies have the same contamination profile. To find specific guidance for where you fish:

Visit the NYSDOH Health Advice on Eating Fish You Catch
Search for your waterbody by name or region
Follow the species-specific and meal-frequency recommendations provided

If your fishing location is not listed, follow the Statewide Advisory or the regional advisories for the Catskills or Adirondacks, as applicable.

Best Bets for Eating Your Catch

If you want to maximize healthy fish choices, consider these waters, which offer the greatest variety of low-contaminant species:

Lake Erie
Lake Ontario
Oneida Lake
Parts of the St. Lawrence River

These fisheries combine abundant opportunities with favorable consumption guidance, making them excellent choices for anglers who plan to eat their catch.

How Fish Advisories Are Developed

New York's fish consumption advice is based on a rigorous, science-driven process:

The Department of Environmental Conservation collects fish samples from waterbodies across the state through its statewide fish monitoring program
Each year, DEC performs thousands of chemical analyses on more than 1,000 fish samples
Results are shared with the Department of Health, which evaluates contaminant levels against health-based guidelines
Advisories are updated annually or as new data becomes available

This collaborative approach ensures that guidance reflects current conditions and the latest scientific understanding.

For more on environmental monitoring, visit the EPA Water Quality Resources.

Resources for Anglers and Families

Stay informed and fish safely with these trusted resources:

Free printed fish advisory materials are available through the Department of Health order form for community distribution.

The Bottom Line

New York's updated fish consumption advice reflects both progress and precaution. Declining PCB levels in the Lower Hudson River mark a significant environmental achievement, allowing families to enjoy local fish after 50 years of restrictions. At the same time, new PFOS guidelines ensure that emerging contaminants are addressed with science-based protection.

Key takeaways for anglers:
- Check waterbody-specific advice before eating your catch
- Follow preparation tips to reduce chemical exposure
- Pay special attention to guidance if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or feeding children
- Enjoy the nutritional benefits of fish while staying within recommended limits

Fishing connects us to New York's natural heritage. With informed choices and up-to-date guidance, we can protect both our health and the environment for generations to come.

For more practical health resources, secure medical documentation, or wellness support, visit Crestwood General. Because when communities have access to clear, reliable health information, everyone thrives.