See the List of Missouri Fish to Avoid Eating at All Costs

I didn't realize that there are a lot of fish you can catch in Missouri that you're advised not to eat or at least limit the amount you intake. There are various reasons why, but I've accumulated a rather large list of finned creatures that may or may not be good for you in the Show Me State.

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There are a lot of opinions about fish, but I'm limiting what I share to only the ones the Missouri Department of Health specifically says to avoid eating or eat limited portions.

Here's the list from all Missouri water areas.

Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, and Walleye - Limit to 1 meal per month due to mercury contaminant

If you fish the Mississippi River, limit your meals on these species:

Shovelnose Surgeon, Sturgeon Eggs, Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, Common Carp, and Buffalo - Limit to 1 meal per month due to PCBs, Chlordane and Mercury

If you fish Adair Creek, do not eat Suckers or bottom feeding fish at all due to lead poisoning. You also should avoid Sunfish from Big Creek for the same reason.

If you fish the Flat River, do not eat these species:

Carp, Sunfish, and Suckers - Do not eat due to lead poisoning.

If you fish Indian Creek, limit meals involving these species:

Common Carp and Catfish - 1 meal per month due to PCBs and Chlordane contaminants.

This is not every single Missouri lake or river, but it gives you an idea what fish to watch out for no matter where you fish. The Missouri Department of Health map and advisories are updated frequently, so check back often to see if there are any changes to the list of fish that could make you sick or worse.