Department of Health alerts fishermen

Health warnings have been issued to alert anglers about possible dangers for certain people eating excessive amounts of trout from certain Washington waters, including the Spokane River, and walleyes from Lake Roosevelt.

Trout from lakes that are stocked by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife generally are not listed in the health advisories. However, some toxins were found in trout at West Medical Lake in Spokane County this year. Although no health advisory has been issued, anglers can reduce their exposure to toxins in fish by removing fat where contaminants accumulate and skinning and grilling fish so fats can drain.

Certain fish in some waters have shown concentrations of contaminants such as mercury and PCBs.

The Washington Department of Health Web site or the DOH Office of Environmental Health Assessments hotline provide detailed listings for anglers who catch and eat their fish.

The Fish and Wildlife Department said in a publication that “the biggest culprit as far as fish consumption safety is methylmercury.” It concentrates in all kinds of fish, especially predator fish.

A study of bass in 20 Washington lakes and rivers found levels of mercury that are of concern, the agency said. As a result, DOH has issued a statewide advisory for bass consumption.

Children and women of childbearing age are advised to limit their bass consumption to two meals per month.

Some Idaho lakes and streams, particularly in the Panhandle, also hold fish that are contaminated with PCBs, mercury and other metals.