Eat Safe Fish Booklet

Get to know which fish from the Niagara River are safe to eat. DISCLAIMER This document is based on the information given in the Guide to Eating Ontario Fish. For information purposes only. Please Get to know which fish from the consult the Guide for more detailed advice especially if you eat multiple species or fish Niagara River are safe to eat. from other locations.

The information has not been endorsed by the governments of Ontario or Canada. The content is based on information given for the Canadian side of the Niagara River only. 2019-2020 CONTENTS 1 | Overview 3 | Choose wisely. Eat safely. 27 | Freshwater Drum 4 | Know the 3 Cs: Choose, Clean, Cook 29 | Lake Trout 5 | How to use this booklet 31 | Largemouth Bass 7 | General vs. Sensitive Populations 33 | Northern Pike 7 | The size of the fish matters! 35 | Pumpkinseed 8 | What kind of fish did you catch? 37 | Rainbow Smelt 8 | How much you eat matters 39 | Rainbow Trout 9 | What the colours mean 41 | Redhorse Sucker 10 | Where you catch matters 43 | Rock Bass 11 | Black Crappie 45 | Smallmouth Bass 13 | Bluegill 47 | Walleye 15 | Brown Bullhead 49 | White Bass 17 | Brown Trout 51 | White Perch 19 | Channel Catfish 53 | White Sucker 21 | Chinook Salmon 55 | Yellow Perch 23 | Coho Salmon 57 | Additional Info 25 | Common Carp 58 | Acknowledgments Fish from Ontario lakes and This booklet is for the Ontario Fishing is a fun way to get outdoors. Fish rivers (including the Niagara side of the Niagara River only. can be a nutritious part of a balanced diet. River) are routinely collected and It is meant to provide an easy- Eating fish provides an excellent source of tested for these chemicals by the to-understand summary of the protein, omega-3 fats, and other essential Government of Ontario. The data advice given in the Guide so you nutrients. However, depending on the are used to advise the public on can make the best choices to Eat FISH type, size, and number of fish eaten, safe eating of fish through the Safe Fish from the Niagara River. people may be at risk for eating harmful Guide to Eating Ontario Fish Refer to the Guide for more FOR chemicals in the fish they eat. (or Guide, for short). detailed information, especially HEALTH The Niagara River’s water quality has A polluted fish may not taste, if you eat different fishes or eat improved over the last 30 years but look, or smell different than a fish from other locations. Please & FUN there are still some chemicals in water fish that is not polluted. The follow Ontario’s recreational that can collect in fish such as mercury, chemicals are too small to see fishing regulations (not provided polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), with the human eye. That’s why in this document). The Niagara dioxins/furan, and photomirex. it’s so important to follow the River is included in fisheries advice for choosing and eating management zones 19 and 20, fish. A full copy of theGuide can depending on where you are be found online at: ontario.ca/ fishing. Fishing rules are found fishguide at: ontario.ca/fishing

1 2 Choose Wisely. Eat Safely. Know the 3 Cs: Choose, Clean, Cook! Some chemicals in the water can collect in fish and may pose a risk to your health. There are many ways to reduce your risk of consuming chemicals from the fish you catch: • Choose leaner species such as walleye, perch, and panfish • Eat smaller fish • Avoid larger predatory fish and bottom feeders • Remove fat and skin from fish before eating • Do not eat organs Choose wisely Clean & Trim Cook Some chemicals such as mercury and perfluorooctane sulfonate are found Smaller fish tend to Some chemicals like Even after trimming throughout the fish flesh. Other than limiting the fish you eat, there is have fewer chemicals. PCBs and dioxins collect away visible fat, some nothing else you can do to reduce or remove these chemicals. Some species have in the fat of the fish. fat can still be present fewer chemicals based Cleaning and trimming inside the fillet. Cook on their feeding habits the fat before cooking can fish on a grill, rack, or and location (e.g., bass, reduce your risk of eating broiler pan in the oven walleye, perch, panfish). chemicals. Remove the so that fat drips away. fillet, cut away skin, trim If you deep-fry fish, do any fat and throw away not reuse the oil. the organs.

3 4 How to use this booklet.

This booklet is meant to be a quick, easy-to-understand guide to choosing Key identification Average Ontario Quick, colour-coded and eating safe fish from the Niagara River. Follow these simple steps with features. size and weight. safety identifier. this guide to make sure you Eat Safe Fish. 1. Determine where you are fishing (upper or lower Niagara River). 2. Are you considered to be in the general or sensitive population? 3. Identify and measure your fish. 4. Refer to this booklet or check the Guide to Eating Ontario Fish to find out if the fish you caught is safe to eat. 5. Keep your catch on ice or in a refrigerator to avoid spoilage until it can be cooked or preserved.

The information provided is derived from advice given for the Niagara River in the Guide to Eating Ontario Specific advice on the number of meals per Fish. For more details or advice for other locations, month for that fish of different sizes. visit ontario.ca/fishguide.

5 6 General vs Sensitive Populations. What kind of fish did you catch?

General population refers to Make sure you know what type of an average sized adult weighing fish you caught to ensure you’re 154 lbs. making the best choices. Use this booklet to help identify your catch. Sensitive population refers to women of child-bearing age and How much you eat matters. children under age 15. The advice for the sensitive The advice in the Guide to Eating population is more strict due Ontario Fish is based on the to the increased health risks. amount of skinless, boneless fish 4 oz eaten, measured by the number The size of the fish matters! of meals eaten. One meal is about 227 g or 8 oz There is different advice given for (size of a dinner plate or two different sizes of the same species. adult palms) for an average adult Use a measuring tape to check the weighing 70 kg (154 lbs). size of your catch (from the tip of 8 oz its nose to the tip of its tail).

7 8 Lake Ontario What the colours mean.

To make choosing which Niagara River fish to eat easier, fish are categorized into three colours: red, yellow, and green Where you catch matters. Lower Niagara based on how many meals per month are There is different advice for eating River recommended in the Guide to Eating Niagara River fish depending on where Ontario Fish. Don’t forget that different you catch them. The Niagara River is sizes and species will have different divided into the Upper Niagara River coloured symbols! (upstream of the Falls) or the Lower The Falls Niagara River (bottom of the Falls to Safer choice Lake Ontario). Upper SAFE (8 or more meals per month) Niagara There is different advice given for River Caution, limit amount eaten different sizes of the same species. Use CAUTION (1-4 meals per month) a measuring tape to check the size of your catch (from the tip of its nose to the tip of its tail). Do not eat No information (0 meals per month) AVOID currently available

9 Lake Erie 10 BLACK CRAPPIE 12 No information information No available currently 6-10 in cm | 6-10 15-25 SENSITIVE Population Upper River River Lower General Population No information information No available currently 6-10 in cm | 6-10 15-25 Upper River River Lower © MECP 7 to 8 dorsal fin spines 18-25 centimetres centimetres 18-25 inches) (7-10 0.23-0.45 kilograms0.23-0.45 (0.5-1 pounds) 6 to 7 anal fin spines

Small, deep bodied

green iridescence Silver with blue or Silver

A cool-water fish native to Ontario. fish native A cool-water Black Crappie Black Promoxis negromaculatus middle of eye

Large mouth Large extends below extends below BLUEGILL Bluegill 15-22.5 centimetres Lepomus macrochirus (6-9 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A warm-water fish native to Ontario. 200 grams Part of the sunfish family. (0.4 pounds)

Black spot at Upper River Upper River rear end of 10 to 11 dorsal dorsal fin fin spines No information No information Black ear flap currently available currently available with no pale edge

Lower River Lower River

Small mouth ends before middle of eye 15-20 cm | 6-8 in 15-20 cm | 6-8 in Belly is silver to yellow 3 anal fin spines © MECP

13 14 BROWN BULLHEAD Brown Bullhead 20-36 centimetres Ameiurus nebulosis (8-14 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A warm-water fish native to Ontario. No information Looks similar to catfish. currently available

Very sharp bony fin Upper River Upper River Elongated with rays on pectoral fin broad, flat head and one on dorsal fin 15-35 cm | 6-14 in 15-35 cm | 6-14 in

Lower River Lower River

Four sets of Square tail 15-30 cm | 6-12 in 15-30 cm | 6-12 in barbels; 3 under Belly generally white head and one pair 30-40 cm | 12-16 in 30-40 cm | 12-16 in on top © MECP

15 16 BROWN TROUT Brown Trout 20-60 centimetres Salmo trutta (8-24 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A cold-water fish introduced and 0.5–4.5 kilograms naturalized in Ontario. (1-9.5 pounds)

Brown back (may Upper River Upper River Silvery or pale brown also be blue-green) The only salmon or sides with dark spots, trout with orange on often with a lighter ring adipose fin 30-35 cm | 12-14 in 30-35 cm | 12-14 in

Lower River Lower River

White mouth DO NOT EAT DO NOT EAT and gums White belly Short, stocky ANY SIZE ANY SIZE caudal peduncle Leading anal fin ray extends the length of the fin © MECP

17 18 CHANNEL CATFISH Channel Catfish 36-53 centimetres Ictalurus punctatus (14-21 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A warm-water fish native to Ontario. 0.9–1.8 kilograms Looks similar to Brown Bullhead. (2-4 pounds)

Upper River Upper River 4 pairs of barbels Large elongated Forked tail around the mouth body with no scales No information No information currently available currently available

Lower River Lower River

40-45 cm | 16-18 in DO NOT EAT ANY SIZE Grey to yellow to Lighter sides 45-75 cm | 18-30 in silve-white belly often with spots © MECP

19 20 chinook salmon Chinook Salmon 30-100 centimetres Oncorhynchus tshawytscha (12-39 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A cold-water fish that was introduced 3.1–6.8 kilograms and naturalized in Ontario. (7-15 pounds)

Upper River Upper River Blue or green back Elongated, moderately Spotted tail with silvery sides deep-bodied fish No information No information currently available currently available

Lower River Lower River

45-75+ cm | 18-30+ in DO NOT EAT Black mouth Short, narrow ANY SIZE White belly and gums caudal peduncle

21 22 COHO SALMON Coho Salmon 30-75 centimetres Oncorhynchus kisutch (12-30 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A cold-water fish that was introduced 2.25–4.5 kilograms and naturalized in Ontario. (5-10 pounds)

Upper River Upper River Deep body but thin Blue or green back Tail spotted on from side to side upper lobe only No information No information currently available currently available

Lower River Lower River

| DO NOT EAT Dark mouth, Short, narrow 40-55 cm 16-22 in ANY SIZE light grey gums caudal peduncle Silvery sides White belly > 55 cm | > 22 in © Tim Knepp

23 24 COMMON CARP Common Carp 30-75 centimetres Cyprinus carpio (12-30 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A warm-water fish introduced to Ontario. 2.25–4.5 kilograms Looks similar to Freshwater Drum. (5-10 pounds)

Back and sides from silver to Upper River Upper River Partially scaled olive-green, brassy or grey cheek and gill cover One dorsal spine 20-45 cm | 8-18 in 20-45 cm | 8-18 in

+ + 45-75 cm | 18-30 in 45-75+ cm | 18-30+ in

Lower River Lower River

25 26 FRESHWATER DRUM Freshwater Drum 45-50 centimetres Aplodinotus grunniens (18-20 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A cool-water fish native to Ontario. 2.3–6.8 kilograms Other common name is Sheepshead. (5-15 pounds)

Humped back Upper River Upper River with a long, 8 to 9 dorsal spines sloping forehead Rounded, triangular tail 25-30 cm | 10-12 in 25-30 cm | 10-12 in

30-55 cm | 12-22 in 30-50 cm | 12-20 in

50-55 cm | 20-22 in Lower River

Lower River 15-55 cm | 6-22 in White lips Body is grey 15-40 cm | 6-16 in with purple/bronze 40-55 cm | 16-22 in reflection © MECP

27 28 LAKE TROUT LAKE Lake Trout 30-80 centimetres Salvelinus namaycush (12-31 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A cold-water fish native to Ontario. 1-5 kilograms Similar to Brook Trout and Splake. (2-10 pounds)

Light worm-like marking and Upper River Upper River Green, grey, brown spots on dark background or almost black back (none are red) with lighter sides No information No information currently available currently available

Lower River Lower River

Deeply 55-65 cm | 22-26 in DO NOT EAT White leading edge White belly forked tail on lower fins with ANY SIZE no black line > 65 cm | > 26 in © MECP

29 30 LARGEMOUTH BASS LARGEMOUTH 25-55 centimetres Largemouth Bass (10-22 inches) Micropterus salmoides General SENSITIVE Population Population A warm-water fish native to Ontario. 0.7-1.8 kilograms Looks similar to Smallmouth and Rock Bass. (1.5-4 pounds)

Back and sides are 9 to 11 dorsal fin spines Upper River Upper River green to olive 15-45 cm | 6-18 in 15-35 cm | 6-14 in

45-50 cm | 18-20 in 35-45 cm | 14-18 in

31 32 NORTHERN PIKE Northern Pike 45-75 centimetres Esox lucius (18-30 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A cool-water fish native to Ontario. Also 0.9-4.3 kilograms known as pike, northern, or jackfish. (2-9.5 pounds)

Upper River Upper River Fully scaled cheek Dark green to brown body and partially with light, yellowish or 25-75+ cm | 10-30+ in 25-60 cm | 10-24 in scaled gill cover white spots 60-75+ cm | 24-30 in

Lower River Lower River

10 pores on underside Dark back Tips of tail fin 50-75+ cm | 20-30 in 50-75 cm | 20-30 in of lower jaw Very large, fades to creamy more rounded elongated body white belly than muskellunge > 75 cm | > 30 in © U.S Fish & Wildlife Service

33 34 PUMPKINSEED Pumpkinseed 18-23 centimetres Lepomis gibbosus (7-9 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A warm-water fish native to Ontario. 0.2 kilograms Also known as sunfish, and pond perch. (0.4 pounds)

Ear flap with orange or red spot Un-notched Upper River Upper River dorsal fin with Wavy, blue- 10 to 11 spines 15-20 cm | 6-8 in 15-20 cm | 6-8 in green stripes on sides of head

Lower River Lower River

No information No information currently available currently available Small mouth 3 anal fin spines does not extend to below the middle of the eye © Joseph Tomelleri

35 36 RAINBOW SMELT RAINBOW Rainbow Smelt 7.5-25 centimetres Osmerus mordax (3-10 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A cold-water fish native to Ontario. 0.2 kilograms (0.4 pounds)

Slender and Upper River Upper River cylindrical Tongue has Silvery pale body 15-20 cm | 6-8 in DO NOT EAT prominent green back ANY SIZE teeth

Lower River Lower River

Mouth extends 15-20 cm | 6-8 in beyond the Iridescent purple, blue, DO NOT EAT centre of the eye pink sides with light belly ANY SIZE

37 38 RAINBOW TROUT RAINBOW Rainbow Trout 20-60 centimetres Oncorhynchus mykiss (8-24 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A cold-water fish that was introduced 0.5-6.8 kilograms and naturalized in Ontario. (1-15 pounds)

Upper River Upper River pink lateral stripe long, stocky caudal peduncle 30-35 cm | 12-14 in 30-35 cm | 12-14 in

35-70 cm | 14-28 in 35-50 cm | 14-20 in

50-70 cm | 20-28 in Lower River

Lower River | mouth and gums 45-70 cm 18-28 in often white silver body with radiating rows of DO NOT EAT > 70 cm | > 28 in many small dark spots spots over tail ANY SIZE

39 40 REDHORSE SUCKER Redhorse Sucker 50-70 centimetres Moxostoma carinatum (20-30 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A species of “Special Concern” in Ontario 1.4 - 3 kilograms (may become threatened or endangered). (3-7 pounds)

Large, thick-bodied Upper River Upper River sucker with a large, Yellowish-green flat-topped head or coppery sides 15-45 cm | 6-18 in 15-45 cm | 6-18 in

45-70 cm | 18-28 in 45-55 cm | 18-22 in

41 42 ROCK BASS Rock Bass 15-20 centimetres Ambloplites rupestris (6-8 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A cool-water fish native to Ontario.Also 0.2 kilograms known as sunfish, redeye, or rock perch. (0.4 pounds)

Back and upper sides are Upper River Upper River brown to olive, with golden Dorsal fin has tints, often with dark saddles 10 to 13 spines 15-25 cm | 6-10 in 15-25 cm | 6-10 in Large, red eye

Lower River Lower River

Mouth is large 6 anal fin spines 15-30 cm | 6-12 in 15-25 cm | 6-10 in and extends backwards to Adults have regular rows 25-30 cm | 10-12 in below the middle of spots along the side of the eye © Joseph Tomelleri

43 44 SMALLMOUTH BASS Smallmouth Bass 25-50 centimetres Micropterus dolomieu (10-20 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A warm-water fish native to Ontario. Also 0.5-1.6 kilograms known as smallie, brownie and brown bass. (1-3.5 pounds)

Upper River Upper River 9 to 11 dorsal fin spines Medium-sized, Green to olive deep-bodied fish | | back and sides 15-45 cm 6-18in 15-35 cm 6-14 in 45-50 cm | 18-20 in 35-50 cm | 14-20 in

Lower River Lower River

45 46 WALLEYE Walleye 35-58 centimetres Sander vitreus (14-23 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A cool-water fish native to Ontario. 0.68-1.36 kilograms Also known as pickerel or yellow pickerel. (1.5-3 pounds)

Upper River Upper River Back is olive-green Spiny and soft to brown; sides paler dorsal fins separated with yellow flecks No information No information currently available currently available

Lower River Lower River

30-45 cm | 12-18 in Large mouth 30-50 cm | 12-20 in extends below Large, White tip on back edge of eye elongated fish lower tail fin 50-65 cm | 20-26 in 45-60 cm | 18- 24 in

47 48 WHITE BASS White Bass 20-30 centimetres Morone chrysops (8-12 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A warm-water fish native to Ontario. No information Also known as Silver Bass. currently available

Dark back with Dark spots in horizontal Upper River Upper River white sides and belly lines, often faint and irregular 30-40 cm | 12-16 in 30-40 cm | 12-16 in

Lower River Lower River

Silver-white 20-30 cm | 8-12 in DO NOT EAT to pale green ANY SIZE 30-35 cm | 12-14 in Second anal spine distinctly shorter than third © MECP

49 50 WHITE PERCH White Perch 15-25 centimetres Morone chrysops (6-10 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A warm-water fish native to Ontario. No information Incorrectly called Silver Bass. currently available

Generally silvery-white Upper River Upper River but colour is variable

15-30 cm | 6-12 in 15-30 cm | 6-12 in

30-35 cm | 12-14 in 30-35 cm | 12-14 in

Lower River Lower River

DO NOT EAT DO NOT EAT ANY SIZE ANY SIZE

51 52 WHITE SUCKER White Sucker 30-50 centimetres Catostomos commersonii (12-20 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A cool-water fish native to Ontario. No information Also known as a sucker, mullet, bay fish. currently available

Upper River Upper River Dark green, grey, copper, brown or black back and sides Torpedo-shaped 15-45 cm | 6-18 in 15-45 cm | 6-18 in

45-50 cm | 18-20 in 45-50 cm | 18-20 in

Lower River Lower River

25-50 cm | 10-20 in 25-30 cm | 10-12 in Light underbelly 50-55 cm | 20-22 in 30-55 cm | 12-20 in

53 54 YELLOW PERCH Yellow Perch 15-30 centimetres Perca flavenscens (6-12 inches) General SENSITIVE Population Population A cool-water fish native to Ontario. Also 0.35 kilograms known as a lake perch or American perch. (0.75 pounds)

Upper River Upper River 6 to 8 dark, vertical 2 separate dorsal fins bands on sides 15-35 cm | 6-14 in 15-35 cm | 6-14 in

Lower River Lower River

Large mouth, 15-30 cm | 6-12 in 15-30 cm | 6-12 in extending to below the middle of the eye Light yellow body

55 56 Additional Information Acknowledgments

Fishing Rules & Regulations: www.ontario.ca/fishing Special thanks to staff at the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Guide to Eating Ontario Fish: www.ontario.ca/fishguide Parks for providing technical expertise and feedback on the content and Health Canada: www.hc-sc.gc.ca for the images of fish used throughout this booklet.

Thank you to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for If you have any questions about the amount of fish that is safe to eat, permission to use some of the content from their Eat Safe Fish materials. contact the Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program at 1-800-820-2716 We would like to acknowledge the support, feedback, and contributions (416-327-6816) or [email protected]. from members of the Niagara River Remedial Plan’s Public Advisory Committee and Coordinating Committee. The Niagara River RAP is a locally-based partnership to restore water quality and ecosystem health in To report pollution or a large number of dead fish, call Ontario’s the Niagara River in order to remove it from the list of Great Lakes Areas Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060. of Concern.

This project was made possible with funding from the governments of Canada and Ontario, in partnership with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.

Concept and design by Natalie Green and Paul Santos.

57 58 Niagara River Remedial Action Plan (RAP) 250 Thorold Road West, 3rd Floor Welland, Ontario L3C 3W2 905-788-3135 x243 ourniagarariver.ca [email protected]

/NiagaraRiverRAP

@NiagaraRiverRAP