Update September 2024

Waterbody Specific Safe-Eating Guidelines—Mississippi River Pools 2, 3, and 4, including all of the Minnesota lakes and backwaters and Vermillion River

MDH is adding the Vermillion River downstream of the Hastings Dam to these guidelines. The water and fish in this section of the Vermillion River have many connections and are also considered a backwater to Pool 3. In March, MDH issued updated fish consumption guidance for Mississippi River Pools 2, 3, and 4 and all of the Minnesota lakes and backwaters. This area includes Ford Dam Parkway in Saint Paul to Wabasha, including Lake Rebecca. Cities associated with these pools include Saint Paul, Saint Paul Park, Inver Grove Heights, Hastings, Red Wing, Lake City, and Wabasha.

This updated fish consumption guidance uses more stringent waterbody-specific guidelines and data for PFAS in fish and provides additional protections for fish consumers. While this guidance primarily looks at PFAS data, it is protective for other contaminants (mercury, PCBs).

MDH recommends the following guidance for all fish species in Mississippi River Pools 2-4 and all of the Minnesota lakes and backwaters, including the Vermillion River:

MDH recommends not eating fish obtained from Mississippi River Pools 2-4 for sensitive populations, including people who are or may become pregnant, people who are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed, and children under age 15. 

MDH recommends limiting fish consumption from Mississippi River Pools 2-4 to one serving a month for the general population of people not planning to become pregnant, men and boys over age 15.

We continue to learn more about PFAS and update our fish consumption guidance when needed. As we learn more about PFAS and gather more data on PFAS in fish, Minnesota fish consumption guidance will continue to be updated.

More information on reducing exposures to PFAS can be found here:
Reducing Exposures: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (PDF)

More information on PFAS and health can be found here:
PFAS and Health

More information about Mississippi River Pools 2, 3, and 4 and can be found here:  

U.S. Lock & Dam #2 Pool (19000500)
These updated guidelines for the sensitive and general populations also apply to Lake Rebecca in Hastings and other backwaters of Pool 2.

U.S. Lock & Dam #3 Pool (25001700) 

U.S. Lock & Dam #4 Pool (79000500)

Update July 2023 for waterbody specific safe-eating guidelines - Lus Hmoob / Español