MERCURY IN FISH GUIDELINES Mercury in Maine freshwater fish may harm the babies of pregnant and nursing mothers , and young children .
• Pregnant and nursing women , women who may get pregnant , and children under age 8 SHOULD NOT EAT ANY freshwater fish from Maine ’ s inland waters , except , for brook trout and landlocked salmon , one meal per month is safe .
• All other adults and children older than 8 CAN EAT two freshwater fish meals per month . For brook trout and landlocked salmon , the limit is one meal per week .
APPENDIX : FISH CONSUMPTION ADVISORY A-4
Freshwater Fish Safe Eating Guidelines
For more information visit the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention website : maine . gov / dhhs / fishandgamesafety .
SAFE EATING GUIDELINES : PFAS AREA WATERBODY GUIDELINES Albion
Fifteenmile Stream from the Yorktown Brook inlet at the Hussey Road to Route 137 / 202 in Albion
No more than 2 meals per month of brook trout . China All of China Lake No more than 1 meal per month of any fish species . Fairfield
Fish Brook , including any tributaries , from the headwaters to the confluence with Messalonskee Stream
Do not eat any fish from these waters . Fairfield Police Athletic League ( PAL ) Ponds Do not eat any fish from these waters . Fairfield
Limestone
Sanford / Alfred
Kennebec River from the Carrabassett Stream inlet just north of Route 23 to the Lockwood Dam in Waterville
All of Durepo Pond and Limestone Stream from Durepo to the Canadian border
The Mousam River from below the Number One Pond Dam to Outlet Dam on Estes Lake , including all of Estes Lake
No more than 9 meals per year of smallmouth bass .
No more than 4 meals per year of brook trout and do not eat smallmouth bass from these waters .
No more than 3 meals per year of any fish species .
Sanford All of Number One Pond No more than 1 meal per month of largemouth bass .
Thorndike / Unity
Unity
Waterville / Oakland Westbrook / Falmouth
Halfmoon Stream from the Shikles Road in Thorndike to the Berry Road in Unity No more than 2 meals per month of brook trout . Unity Pond
PFAS IN FISH GUIDELINES Fish tested in several locations found levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances ( PFAS ) above Maine CDC ' s recommended levels for regular consumption . Exposure to certain PFAS chemicals has been associated with :
• changes in liver and kidney function ,
• changes in cholesterol levels ,
• decreased immune response to vaccines in children ,
• complications during pregnancy , and
• increased risk of kidney cancer and possibly testicular cancer .
Limit or eliminate consumption of all fish or certain fish species from the waterbodies listed in the table below .
Messalonskee Stream from the Rice Rips Dam in Oakland to the Automatic Dam in Waterville
The Presumpscot River from Saccarappa Falls in Westbrook to Presumpscot Falls in Falmouth
ADDITIONAL FISH GUIDELINES : PCBS , DIOXINS , AND DDT
• Fish caught in some Maine waters have high levels of PCBs , Dioxins or DDT in them .
• These chemicals can cause cancer and other health effects .
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends additional fish consumption limits on the waters listed below . Remember to check the mercury guidelines . If the water you are fishing is listed below , check the mercury guideline to the left and follow the most limiting guidelines . ■
No more than 6 meals per year of black crappie and no more than 12 meals per year for all other fish species .
No more than 3 fish meals per year of any fish species .
No more than 4 fish meals per year of any fish species .
SAFE EATING GUIDELINES : PCBS , DIOXINS , AND DDT Androscoggin River Gilead to Merrymeeting Bay Dennys River Meddybemps Lake to Dead Stream Green Pond , Chapman Pit , & Greenlaw Brook ( Limestone ) Little Madawaska River & tributaries ( Madawaska Dam to Grimes Mill Road ) Kennebec River Augusta to the Chops Kennebec River from Shawmut Dam in Fairfield to Augusta Kennebec River from Madison to Fairfield Meduxnekeag River North Branch Presque Isle River Penobscot River below Lincoln Prestile Stream Red Brook in Scarborough Salmon Falls River below Berwick Sebasticook River ( East Branch , West Branch & Main Stem ) ( Corinna / Hartland to Winslow )
6 – 12 fish meals a year 1 – 2 fish meals a month Do not eat any fish from these waters Do not eat any fish from these waters Do not eat any fish from these waters 5 trout meals a year , 1 – 2 bass meals a month 1 – 2 fish meals a month 2 fish meals a month 2 fish meals a month 1 – 2 fish meals a month 1 fish meal a month 6 fish meals a year 6 – 12 fish meals a year 2 fish meals a month
2024 STATE OF MAINE LAWS & RULES FISHING