Michigan health officials release 2026 fish safety guidelines for anglers
State health officials released safety guidelines for eating fish caught in 696 Michigan water bodies, helping residents avoid toxic chemical exposure.
LANSING, MICHIGAN — State health officials released updated guidelines Monday to help Michigan residents safely consume locally caught fish while avoiding exposure to toxic chemicals.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services published its annual Eat Safe Fish Guides, providing consumption recommendations for fish caught in 696 water bodies across the state. The guidelines use laboratory test results to identify which fish are safe to eat and which could pose health risks.
“There are many health benefits to eating fish and the Eat Safe Fish Guides provide consumption recommendations based on the levels of certain chemicals found in fish in waterbodies across the state,” said Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive. “Michigan families can use these guidelines to help make healthy choices about the fish they eat.”
Guidelines Target Vulnerable Populations
The recommendations are designed to protect all residents but give special consideration to children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and individuals with health conditions including cancer and diabetes. The guides serve as voluntary recommendations rather than legal requirements.
Health officials emphasized that the guidelines aim to balance the nutritional benefits of fish consumption with safety concerns about chemical contamination in local waterways.
Regional Approach to Fish Safety
The state divides Michigan into five distinct regions for its fish safety assessments: northeast, northwest, southeast, southwest and the Upper Peninsula. Each region receives its own specific guide based on local water conditions and contamination levels.
The department also produces a Buy Safe Fish Guide. This resource helps consumers select seafood with lower mercury levels when shopping at stores, fish markets or restaurants.
This approach allows residents to make informed decisions about fish consumption based on both where they catch fish and where they purchase it.
Resources Available for Residents
Michigan residents can access the complete fish safety information through multiple channels. The guides are available online at Michigan.gov/EatSafeFish, providing detailed information about specific water bodies and fish species.
For residents who prefer telephone assistance, the DHHS Environmental Health Bureau maintains a helpline at 800-648-6942. The service provides information on how to buy, eat and prepare fish safely.
The annual release of these guidelines reflects ongoing state monitoring of water quality and fish contamination levels throughout Michigan’s extensive network of lakes, rivers and streams.
