Coosa Riverkeeper’s Fish Guide program is here for fishers and friends to get information that they need to enjoy fish safely– with our statewide fish consumption advisories, where to cast a line, and how to cook your catch all in one place. 


We know that everyone loves to deep fry their catfish… but did you know you can actually avoid contaminants by cookin’ your fish differently? 

Every single river in Alabama, the River State, has at least one fish consumption advisory for methylmercury. Methylmercury is a known neurotoxin and is very harmful to women and children… and you can’t reduce your exposure without limiting your consumption. ADPH recommends limiting consumption to a portion of 6 oz cooked (or 8 oz raw) and the number of meals is outlined in the consumption advisory itself. How much fish you eat under a consumption advisory matters… 

Unfortunately, PCBs (a known carcinogen) accumulate in fish’s fatty tissue, so you can remove fat, filet, and cook your catch to allow fat to drain away. The way you cook your fish matters. 

Good News: we have some yummy local catch recipes you can try that are lip smackin’ good!


Bad news: you oughta avoid deep frying your fish that have a PCB fish consumption advisory. 

ways to reduce
your exposure