Question about the Ontario fishing consumption guide

[shimano25]

I was wondering if anyone can help me with the fishing consumptions guide.

Does anyone know how this thing really works? For example, I know that it suggests that certain species of fish can be eaten in a specified amount per month depending on size but some sizes have NO recommendations. For example, the smaller the size the more chances it has no recommendation (I understand that since smaller fish generally don't carry that much contiminants as bigger fish). However, if I catch a big size largemouth bass from a certain lake and it goes beyond the recommendation bar does that mean that the fish is completely safe to eat with no limits per month (this doesn't make sense, since the bigger the fish the more contiminants it has)?

Also, if a certain species is not listed on that particular lake but you happen to catch one does that mean it is completeley safe to eat? For example, Rice Lake doesn't list Pike does that mean I can't eat as much Pike as I want per month? Any help on this would be appreciated?

 

[Joel52]

This from the guide. I think also one of the things to consider here is it's only a guide. Common sense should kick in in certain circumstances. If a species is not listed, it's because it hasn't been tested. Again, common sense would dictate consumption.
Consumption of fish outside the advisory table range
Advisories are provided only for the size ranges of fish that were tested. Since it is well known that contaminant levels generally increase with fish length, the following rules can be applied:
• For fish smaller than the advisory table range: Follow the advice for the smallest tested range.
• For fish larger than the advisory table range: Consumption advice cannot be predicted, except that it is likely to be more restrictive than the largest tested range.

 

[Joel52]

One more point - the numbers in the guide indicate 8 ounce portions, not fish, so something else to consider there. Good on you for asking - shows common sense anyway. Personally, I usually do not eat fish from Southern Ontario. I grew up in the Sudbury region and fish that area mostly - though most of those lakes are not as clean as they used to be, but for the amounts that we do eat from up there we should be okay. Southern Ontario (where I live right now) presents great catch and release opportunities, especially for trout on the fly. If you check neighbouring lakes for the species that's missing, it should give a pretty good idea (Rice Lake pike).