Fish Consumption Advisory - Environmental Health

Fish consumption advisories help Virginia anglers make educated choices about eating the fish they catch. While most Virginia waters do not have dangerous levels of contaminants, some fish in certain waters are found to contain contaminants at levels of concern.

A fish consumption advisory is not a prohibition of eating fish, but a warning about the contaminants present in a fish species. Each advisory specifies the waterbody or segment of a waterbody affected, the contaminants present, and meal recommendations for eating specific fish species caught there. The meal recommendations presented in the fish advisory tables were developed to protect the general public* from adverse health effects from exposure to fish contaminants. It is recommended to follow the guidance presented on advisories to reduce your total exposure to fish contaminants.

*Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children are advised not to eat any fish contaminated either with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or mercury from the respective advisory areas.

Contaminants in Fish

Contaminants such as mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and Kepone can be found in some species of fish in Virginia waterways. These contaminants can enter waterways in a variety of ways, including illegal dumping or accidental release. Mercury can enter waterways through atmospheric deposition from sources very far away. Fish and shellfish are also known to be a dietary sources of organic arsenic. The amount of organic arsenic found in fish and shellfish is usually 90 % of the total arsenic, and is known to have low toxicity for humans. Therefore, fish consumption advisories due to arsenic in fish are very rare.

Most of the fish consumption advisories in Virginia are for mercury and PCBs. When these contaminants are present in waterbodies they are known to bioaccumulate, which means that they can accumulate in fish tissues over time. Furthermore, they can biomagnify, which means that the concentration of the chemicals found in fish tissues will increase as they move up the food chain. For this reason, older, larger and carnivorous fish tend to be the ones that have advisories. For more information about the health effects associated with these contaminants, please click on the fact sheets for Mercury or Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).

Current Fish Consumption Advisories PDFs

Click on a link below to view the current fish consumption advisory for a specified river basin:

Chesapeake Bay and Small Coastal Basin (includes Great Wicomico, Piankatank, Poquoson, Lynnhaven, Pocomoke Rivers; Dragon Run Swamp; and Mobjack Bay)
Chowan and Great Dismal Swamp Basin (includes Nottoway, Meherrin, and Blackwater Rivers; Lake Drummond)
James River Basin (includes Maury, Jackson, Slate, Rivanna, Tye, Rockfish, Willis, Appomattox, Chickahominy, Pagan, Nansemond, and Elizabeth Rivers)
New River Basin (includes Little and Bluestone Rivers; Walker, Peak, and Reed Creeks; Claytor Lake)
Potomac River Basin (includes Occoquan River)
Rappahannock River Basin (includes Hazel, Thornton, Rapidan, Robinson, and Corrotoman Rivers; and Mountain Run)
Roanoke and Yadkin River Basin (includes Little Otter, Big Otter, Pigg, Dan, Smith, and Banister Rivers; Smith Mountain, Leesville Lakes; Lake Gaston; Kerr Reservoir; and Lovills Creek Lake)
Shenandoah River Basin (includes South, North, South Fork Shenandoah, and North Fork Shenandoah Rivers)
Tennessee and Big Sandy River Basin (includes Holston, Clinch, Powell, and Guest Rivers; Levisa, Russell, and Tug Forks)
York River Basin (includes Pamunkey, Mattaponi, Lake Anna, Little, Matta, Po, and Ni Rivers)

Health Benefits of Eating Fish

Fish provide substantial human health benefits. They are low in saturated fat, high in protein, and a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Fish contain vitamin D, calcium, iron, magnesium, as well as other nutrients that are beneficial for human health. Fish consumption has been linked to a decreased risk of heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure. Fish consumption may also contribute to immune system strengthening, healthy brain functioning, and proper infant growth and development. To achieve the health benefits of eating fish, it is advised to eat a variety of fish and shellfish that are low in mercury such as salmon, tilapia, shrimp, oysters, scallops, and sardines.

Recommendations for Cooking & Preparing Fish

You can reduce the fat and contaminants (e.g. pesticides, PCBs) in the fish you eat. To reduce the potential harmful effects from eating contaminated fish, VDH recommends the following:

Eat smaller, younger fish. Younger fish are less likely to contain harmful levels of contaminants than older, larger fish.
Remove the skin, the fat from the belly and top, and the internal organs before cooking the fish.
Bake, broil, or grill on an open rack to allow fats to drain. Avoid pan frying in butter or animal fat because these methods hold fat juices.
Discard the fat that cooks out of the fish, and avoid or reduce the amount of fish drippings that are used to flavor the meal.
Eat less deep fried fish since frying seals contaminants into the fatty tissue.

More Information About Virginia's Fish Consumption Advisories

Fish tissue and sediment samples are routinely sampled in state waters for contaminant analysis. VDH uses this fish tissue sampling data to update and create new advisories as needed when the contaminants in fish exceed levels of concerns. Advisories provide guidance to the public to make informed choices about eating locally caught fish. Virginia's fish consumption advisories are reviewed annually.

For questions about human health risks from exposure to fish contaminants, please contact the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) at (804) 864-8182.
For general questions about fishing regulations in Virginia, please call the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) at (804) 367-1000, or visit their webpage by clicking here.
For further information regarding the fish tissue sampling and analysis process, please visit the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) website by clicking here, or call (804) 698-4000.

Search the table below to view the current fish consumption advisories:

Hint: type in which species, locality, waterbody, or contaminant you are interested in to filter results.

River Basin	Waterbody	Section	Locality	Contaminants	Fish Species	Advisory Description
Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Basin	Lake Trashmore	Entire lake	Virginia Beach City	Mercury	Largemouth Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Basin	Lake Trashmore	Entire lake	Virginia Beach City	PCBs	Carp	≤ 2 meals/month
Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Basin	Lake Whitehurst	Entire lake, including Little Creek Reservoir	Virginia Beach City, Norfolk City	PCBs	Carp, Gizzard Shad	≤ 2 meals/month
Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Basin	Lake Whitehurst	Entire lake, including Little Creek Reservoir	Virginia Beach City, Norfolk City	Mercury	Carp	≤ 2 meals/month
Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Basin	Little Creek	4 miles near US Naval Reservation Little Creek Amphibious Base	Virginia Beach City, Norfolk City	PCBs	Spot, Croaker, Gizzard Shad	≤ 2 meals/month
Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Basin	Chesapeake Bay	Mainstem and its small coastal tidal tributaries	Chesapeake Bay	PCBs	Anadromous Striped Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Basin	Eastern Branch Lynnhaven River	6 miles	Virginia Beach City	PCBs	Gizzard Shad	≤ 2 meals/month
Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Basin	Mobjack Bay	Including tributaries	Mathews Co., Gloucester Co.	PCBs	Gizzard Shad	≤ 2 meals/month
Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Basin	Tabb Creek	Entire 2 mile creek	Hampton City, Poquoson City	PCBs	Gizzard Shad	Do Not Eat
Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Basin	Tabb Creek	Entire 2 mile creek	Hampton City, Poquoson City	PCBs	Croaker, Striped Bass, Blue Crab, Oyster	≤ 2 meals/month
Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Basin	Dragon Run Swamp/Piankatank River	from near Rt. 620 downstream 46 miles	Essex Co., Middlesex Co., King and Queen Co., Gloucester Co.	Mercury	Largemouth Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Basin	Poquoson River	Tidal portion and its tributary, Chisman Creek	York Co., Poquoson City	PCBs	Gizzard Shad	≤ 2 meals/month
Chesapeake Bay and Coastal Basin	Piankatank River	From Rt. 17 downstream 11 miles	Middlesex Co.	PCBs	Gizzard Shad	≤ 2 meals/month
Chowan and Dismal Swamp River Basin	Meherrin River	Emporia Dam downstream 28 miles to Rt. 720 bridge	Greensville Co., Southampton Co.	PCBs	Gizzard Shad	≤ 2 meals/month
Chowan and Dismal Swamp River Basin	Meherrin River	Emporia Dam downstream 28 miles to Rt. 720 bridge	Greensville Co., Southampton Co.	Mercury	Gizzard Shad	≤ 2 meals/month
Chowan and Dismal Swamp River Basin	Blackwater River	From NC state line upstream to Petersburg, including tributaires, Blackwater Swamp, and Blackwater River segments	Surry Co., Southampton Co., Isle of Wight Co., Franklin City, Suffolk City, Sussex Co., Prince George Co., Petersburg City	Mercury	Largemouth Bass, Sunfish species, Bowfin, Chain Pickerel, White Catfish, Redhorse Sucker, Longnose Gar	≤ 2 meals/month
Chowan and Dismal Swamp River Basin	Great Dismal Swamp Canal	From Deep Creek Locks south to NC state line	Chesapeake City, Suffolk City	Mercury	Bowfin, Chain Pickerel	≤ 2 meals/month
Chowan and Dismal Swamp River Basin	Nottoway River	92 miles of main stem from NC state line upstream to state Rt. 619	Dinwiddie Co., Greensville Co., Sussex Co., Southampton Co.	Mercury	Blue Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bowfin, Redhorse Sucker, Longnose Gar, Channel Catfish, Chain Pickerel, Sunfish species	≤ 2 meals/month
Chowan and Dismal Swamp River Basin	Emporia Reservoir	Entire reservoir	Greensville Co.	Mercury	Largemouth Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
Chowan and Dismal Swamp River Basin	Meherrin River	Below Emporia Reservoir Dam to state line, including its tributaries Fontaine Creek and Mill Swamp up to the I-95 bridge crossing	Greensville Co., Southampton Co.	Mercury	Largemouth Bass, Bowfin	≤ 2 meals/month
James River Basin	Maury River	From Buena Vista at Rt. 60 16 miles to James River	Rockbridge Co., Buena Vista City	PCBs	Redbreast Sunfish, Rock Bass, Yellow Bullhead Catfish, Carp	≤ 2 meals/month
James River Basin	James River	From Big Island Dam to I-95 James River Bridge in Richmond.	Amherst Co., Bedford Co., Lynchburg City, Campbell Co., Appomattox Co., Nelson Co., Buckingham Co., Albemarle Co., Fluvanna Co., Cumberland Co., Goochland Co., Powhatan Co., Henrico Co., Chesterfield Co., Richmond City	PCBs	Gizzard Shad, Carp, American Eel, Flathead Catfish, Quillback Carpsucker	≤ 2 meals/month
James River Basin	James River	From I-95 James River Bridge in Richmond to Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, including tidal portions of tributaries	Richmond City, Henrico Co., Chesterfield Co., Charles City Co., Hopewell City, Colonial Heights City, Petersburg City, Dinwiddie Co., Prince George Co., Surry Co., James City Co., New Kent Co., Isle of Wight Co., Newport News City, Suffolk City, Portsmouth City, Hampton City, Norfolk City, Chesapeake City, Virginia Beach City	PCBs	Gizzard Shad, Carp, Blue Catfish ≥32 inches, Flathead Catfish ≥32 inches	Do Not Eat
James River Basin	James River	From I-95 James River Bridge in Richmond to Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, including tidal portions of tributaries	Richmond City, Henrico Co., Chesterfield Co., Charles City Co., Hopewell City, Colonial Heights City, Petersburg City, Dinwiddie Co., Prince George Co., Surry Co., James City Co., New Kent Co., Isle of Wight Co., Newport News City, Suffolk City, Portsmouth City, Hampton City, Norfolk City, Chesapeake City, Virginia Beach City	PCBs	Blue Catfish <32 inches, Flathead Catfish <32 inches, Channel Catfish, White Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill Sunfish, American Eel, Quillback Carpsucker, Smallmouth Bass, Creek Chub, Yellow Bullhead Catfish, White Perch, Striped Bass, Bluefish, Croaker, Spot, Blueback Herring, Hickory Shad	≤ 2 meals/month
James River Basin	James River	From I-95 James River Bridge in Richmond to Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, including tidal portions of tributaries	Richmond City, Henrico Co., Chesterfield Co., Charles City Co., Hopewell City, Colonial Heights City, Petersburg City, Dinwiddie Co., Prince George Co., Surry Co., James City Co., New Kent Co., Isle of Wight Co., Newport News City, Suffolk City, Portsmouth City, Hampton City, Norfolk City, Chesapeake City, Virginia Beach City	Kepone	All Species	1 meal/day. Follow PCBs advisories for species where advisory is more restrictive.
James River Basin	Elizabeth River	Southern Branch, including tributaries	Portsmouth City, Chesapeake City, Norfolk City	PCBs, Dioxins	Blue Crab	Do not eat crab's hepatopancreas ("mustard"). Crab meat is ok to eat.
James River Basin	Harrison Lake	Entire lake	Charles City Co.	Mercury	Redear Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Bowfin	≤ 2 meals/month
James River Basin	Chickahominy Lake	Entire lake	Charles City Co., Kent Co.	Mercury	Largemouth Bass, Chain Pickerel, Bowfin	≤ 2 meals/month
James River Basin	Mill Creek	Entire creek	City of Hampton	PCBs	Gizzard Shad	≤ 2 meals/month
James River Basin	Upper James River	from the head of the James near Iron Gate (at the confluence of Jackson River and Cowpasture River) to Balcony Falls Dam downstream of Glasgow (near the Maury River)	Botetourt Co., Rockbridge Co.	PCBs	Carp	≤ 2 meals/month
New River Basin	New River	from Claytor Lake downstream 68 miles to the WV state line	Giles Co., Mongtomery Co., Pulaski Co., Radford City	PCBs	Carp	Do not eat
New River Basin	New River	from Claytor Lake downstream 68 miles to the WV state line	Giles Co., Mongtomery Co., Pulaski Co., Radford City	PCBs	Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish	≤ 2 meals/month
New River Basin	New River/Claytor Lake	From Rt. 77 bridge downstream to Claytor Lake Dam, including some tributaries	Pulaski Co., Wythe Co.	PCBs	Carp, Smallmouth Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
New River Basin	Bluestone River	From Rt. 460 bridge downstream 9 miles to WV state line	Tazewell Co.	PCBs	Carp	Do not eat
New River Basin	Bluestone River	From Rt. 460 bridge downstream 9 miles to WV state line	Tazewell Co.	PCBs	White Sucker, Rock Bass, Largemouth Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
Potomac River Basin	Potomac River Basin	Tributaries between MD state line near Rt. 340 bridge to the I-395 Bridge: Goose Creek, Broad Run, Difficult Run, Pimmit Run	Loudoun Co., Fairfax Co., Arlington Co.	PCBs	American Eel	≤ 2 meals/month
Potomac River Basin	Potomac River Basin	Tidal portion of tributaries and embayments from I-395 bridge to Potomac River Bridge at Rt. 301: Four Mile Run, Hunting Creek, Little Hunting Creek, Pohick Creek, Accotink Creek, Occoquan River, Neabsco Creek, Powell Creek, Quantico Creek, Chopawamsic Creek, Aquia Creek, Potomac Creek	Arlington Co., Alexandria City, Fairfax Co., Prince William Co., Stafford Co., King George Co.	PCBs	Carp, American Eel, Channel Catfish ≥18 Inches	Do not eat
Potomac River Basin	Potomac River Basin	Tidal portion of tributaries and embayments from I-395 bridge to Potomac River Bridge at Rt. 301: Four Mile Run, Hunting Creek, Little Hunting Creek, Pohick Creek, Accotink Creek, Occoquan River, Neabsco Creek, Powell Creek, Quantico Creek, Chopawamsic Creek, Aquia Creek, Potomac Creek	Arlington Co., Alexandria City, Fairfax Co., Prince William Co., Stafford Co., King George Co.	PCBs	Channel Catfish <18 inches, Bullhead Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Anadromous Striped Bass, Sunfish species, Smallmouth Bass, White Catfish, White Perch, Gizzard Shad, Yellow Perch	≤ 2 meals/month
Potomac River Basin	Potomac River Basin	Tidal portion of tributaries from Potomac River Bridge at Rt. 301 to mouth of river near Smith Point: Upper Machococ Creek, Monroe Creek, Coan River	King George Co., Westmoreland Co., Northumberland Co.	PCBs	Gizzard Shad, White Perch, Channel Catfish	≤ 2 meals/month
Potomac River Basin	Indian Run	entire run	Fairfax Co.	PCBs	Creek Chub	≤ 2 meals/month
Potomac River Basin	Bull Run	from I-66 bridge downstream 14 miles to Rt. 612 (Yates Ford Rd.) bridge	Fairfax Co., Manassas Park City, Prince William Co.	PCBs	Channel Catfish, Carp	≤ 2 meals/month
Rappahannock River Basin	Rappahannock River	from I-95 bridge above Fredericksburg, downstream to mouth of river, including sections of tributaries Hazel Run and Claiborne Run	Stafford Co., Spotsylvania Co., Fredericksburg City, Caroline Co., King George Co., Essex Co., Westmoreland Co., Richmond Co., Middlesex Co., Lancaster Co.	PCBs	American Eel, Blue Catfish, Carp, Channel Catfish, Croaker, Gizzard Shad, Anadromous Striped Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
Rappahannock River Basin	Mountain Run	from rt. 15/29 bridge 19 miles to confluence with Rappahannock River	Culpeper Co.	PCBs	American Eel	≤ 2 meals/month
Rappahannock River Basin	Motts Run Reservoir	Entire reservoir	Spotsylvania Co.	Mercury	Largemouth Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
Rappahannock River Basin	Chandler's Mill Pond	Entire pond	Westmoreland Co.	Mercury	Largemouth Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
Roanoke River Basin	Dan River	From Brantley Steam Plant Dam in Danvill to the Kerr Reservoir. Includes sections of tributaries Hyco River and Banister River	Danville City, Pittsylvania Co., Halifax Co., Mecklenburg Co.	PCBs, Mercury	Flathead Catfish ≥32 inches	Do not eat
Roanoke River Basin	Dan River	From Brantley Steam Plant Dam in Danvill to the Kerr Reservoir. Includes sections of tributaries Hyco River and Banister River	Danville City, Pittsylvania Co., Halifax Co., Mecklenburg Co.	PCBs	Flathead Catfish <32 inches, Carp, Redhorse Sucker, Channel Catfish, Striped Bass, White Bass, White Perch, Blue Catfish, Walleye, Longnose Gar	≤ 2 meals/month
Roanoke River Basin	Dan River	From Brantley Steam Plant Dam in Danvill to the Kerr Reservoir. Includes sections of tributaries Hyco River and Banister River	Danville City, Pittsylvania Co., Halifax Co., Mecklenburg Co.	Mercury	Flathead Catfish <32 inches, Striped Bass, White Bass, Blue Catfish, Longnose Gar, Largemouth Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
Roanoke River Basin	Roanoke River	Upper section, from confluence of North and South Fork Roanoke River downstream to Niagara Dam, including sections of tributaries Peters Creek, Tinker Creek.	Montgomery Co., Roanoke Co., Salem City, Roanoke City	PCBs	Carp, Redbreast Sunfish, Redhorse Sucker, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Bluehead Chub	≤ 2 meals/month
Roanoke River Basin	Roanoke River/Smith Mountain Lake	Below Niagara Dam downstream to Smith Mountain Dam, including section of Blackwater River	Roanoke Co., Bedford Co., Franklin Co., Pittsylvania Co.	PCBs	Flathead Catfish ≥32 inches	Do Not Eat
Roanoke River Basin	Roanoke River/Smith Mountain Lake	Below Niagara Dam downstream to Smith Mountain Dam, including section of Blackwater River	Roanoke Co., Bedford Co., Franklin Co., Pittsylvania Co.	PCBs	Flathead Catfish <32 inches, Striped Bass, Gizzard Shad, Redhorse Sucker, Largemouth bass, Carp, Channel Catfish	≤ 2 meals/month
Roanoke River Basin	Roanoke (Staunton) River	Below Leesville Dam downstream to Dan River, including sections of tributary Cub Creek	Pittsylvania Co., Campbell Co., Halifax Co., Charlotte Co., Mecklenburg Co.	PCBs	Carp, Flathead Catfish ≥32 inches	Do Not Eat
Roanoke River Basin	Roanoke (Staunton) River	Below Leesville Dam downstream to Dan River, including sections of tributary Cub Creek	Pittsylvania Co., Campbell Co., Halifax Co., Charlotte Co., Mecklenburg Co.	PCBs	Flathead Catfish <32 inches, Blue Catfish, Gizzard Shad, Striped Bass, Channel Catfish, Walleye, White Bass, Largemouth Bass, Redhorse Sucker, Sunfish, Smallmouth Bass, Quillback Carpsucker, Spotted Bass, White Perch, Bluehead Chub, Rock Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
Roanoke River Basin	Roanoke (Staunton) River	Below Leesville Dam downstream to Dan River, including sections of tributary Cub Creek	Pittsylvania Co., Campbell Co., Halifax Co., Charlotte Co., Mecklenburg Co.	Mercury	Striped Bass, Walleye, White Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
Roanoke River Basin	Kerr Reservoir	From confluence of Dan and Roanoke Rivers to Kerr Dam, including tributaries Eastland Creek and Nutbush Creek (within state of VA)	Mecklenburg Co.	PCBs	Carp, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, White Bass, Striped Bass, Walleye, White Perch, Smallmouth Bass, Redhorse Sucker, Flathead Catfish	≤ 2 meals/month
Roanoke River Basin	Kerr Reservoir	From confluence of Dan and Roanoke Rivers to Kerr Dam, including tributaries Eastland Creek and Nutbush Creek (within state of VA)	Mecklenburg Co.	Mercury	Largemouth Bass, White Bass, Striped Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
Roanoke River Basin	Lake Gaston	from Kerr Dam downstream to NC state line, including tributaries within state of VA	Mecklenburg Co., Brunswick Co.	Mercury	Walleye	≤ 2 meals/month
Yadkin River Basin	Lovills Creek Lake	Entire lake	Carroll Co.	Mercury	Largemouth Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
Tennessee and Big Sandy River Basin	Knox Creek	River sections in state of VA	Buchanan Co.	PCBs	Golden Redhorse Sucker, Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Northern Hogsucker, Channel Catfish, Redhorse Sucker, Creek Chub	Do not eat
Tennessee and Big Sandy River Basin	Knox Creek	River sections in state of VA	Buchanan Co.	PCBs	All species	≤ 2 meals/month
Tennessee and Big Sandy River Basin	Levisa Fork River	From confluence with Slate Creek at Grundy to state line	Buchanan Co.	PCBs	All species	Do not eat
Tennessee and Big Sandy River Basin	Levisa Fork River	from confluecne with Slate Creek upstream to confluence with Contrary Creek, including sections fo tributary Garden Creek	Buchanan Co.	PCBs	All species	≤ 2 meals/month
Tennessee and Big Sandy River Basin	Guest River	from Rt. 23 downstream to confluence with Clinch River, including sections of tributary Bear Creek	Wise Co., Norton City, Scott Co., Russell Co.	PCBs	Carp, River Chub, Stoneroller	≤ 2 meals/month
Tennessee and Big Sandy River Basin	Stock Creek	From Rt. 650 bridge downstream 5 miles to confluencew ith Clinch River	Scott Co.	PCBs	Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, White Sucker	≤ 2 meals/month
Tennessee and Big Sandy River Basin	Wolf Creek	From Rt. 670 downstream 3 miles to Rt. 75	Washington Co.	PCBs	Carp, Northern Hogsucker	≤ 2 meals/month
Tennessee and Big Sandy River Basin	Beaver Creek	from Beaver Creek Dam downstream to TN line, including tributary Little Creek	Washington Co., Bristol City	PCBs	Carp, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass	Do not eat
Tennessee and Big Sandy River Basin	Beaver Creek	from Beaver Creek Dam downstream to TN line, including tributary Little Creek	Washington Co., Bristol City	PCBs	All species	≤ 2 meals/month
Tennessee and Big Sandy River Basin	North Fork Holston River	from Saltville 84 miles to TN state line	Smyth Co., Washington Co., Scott Co.	Mercury, PCBs	All species	Do not eat
Tennessee and Big Sandy River Basin	Big Cherry Reservoir	Entire reservoir	Wise Co.	Mercury	Largemouth Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
Tennessee and Big Sandy River Basin	Lake Witten	Entire lake	Tazewell Co.	Mercury	Largemouth Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
Shenandoah River Basin	South Fork Shenandoah River	downstream from Rt. 619 bridge to confluence with North Fork Shenandoah River	Warren Co., Clarke Co.	PCBs	Carp, Channel Catfish, White Sucker	Do not eat
Shenandoah River Basin	North Fork Shenandoah River	from mouth of river upstream to Riverton Dam	Warren Co., Clarke Co.	PCBs	Carp, Channel Catfish, White Sucker	Do not eat
Shenandoah River Basin	Shenandoah River	from confluence of North and South Forks to WV state line	Warren Co., Clarke Co.	PCBs	Carp, Channel Catfish, White Sucker	Do not eat
Shenandoah River Basin	South Fork Shenandoah River	downstream from Rt. 619 bridge to confluence with North Fork Shenandoah River	Warren Co., Clarke Co.	PCBs	Rock Bass, Sunfish, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
Shenandoah River Basin	North Fork Shenandoah River	from mouth of river upstream to Riverton Dam	Warren Co., Clarke Co.	PCBs	Rock Bass, Sunfish, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
Shenandoah River Basin	Shenandoah River	from confluence of North and South Forks to WV state line	Warren Co., Clarke Co.	PCBs	Rock Bass, Sunfish, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
Shenandoah River Basin	Lewis Creek	from Rt. 252 downstream 12 miles to confluence of Middle River	Augusta Co., Staunton City	PCBs	White Sucker, Bluehead Chub	≤ 2 meals/month
Shenandoah River Basin	South River	from footbridge at E.I. Dupont Co. in Waynesboro 24 miels to confluence with North River at Port Republic	Waynesboro City, August Co., Rockingham Co.	Mercury	All species except trout	Do not eat
Shenandoah River Basin	South Fork Shenandoah River	downstream from Port Republic to confluence with North Fork Shenandoah River	Warren Co., Page Co., Rockingham Co., Augusta Co.	Mercury	All species	≤ 2 meals/month
Shenandoah River Basin	North Fork Shenandoah River	from mouth of river upstream to Riverton Dam	Warren Co., Page Co., Rockingham Co., Augusta Co.	Mercury	All species	≤ 2 meals/month
Shenandoah River Basin	Shenandoah River	from confluence of North and South Forks to Warren Power Dam (north of Front Royal)	Warren Co., Page Co., Rockingham Co., Augusta Co.	Mercury	All species	≤ 2 meals/month
York River Basin	York River	From West Point downstream to mouth, and tidal portion of tributaries: King Creek, Queen Creek, Wormley Creek	King William Co., New Kent Co., King and Queen Co., James City Co., Gloucester Co., York Co.	PCBs	Croaker, Gizzard Shad, Spot	≤ 2 meals/month
York River Basin	King Creek	Tidal tributary of York River	York Co.	PCBs	Blue Crab (hepatopancreas only)	Do not eat
York River Basin	Lake Anna	Entire lake, including tributaries Terry's Run, Goldmine Creek, Contrary Creek	Orange Co., Louisa Co., Spotsylvania Co.	PCBs	Gizzard Shad	Do not eat
York River Basin	Lake Anna	Entire lake, including tributaries Terry's Run, Goldmine Creek, Contrary Creek	Orange Co., Louisa Co., Spotsylvania Co.	PCBs	Carp, Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass, White Perch, White Catfish, Bluegill Sunfish	≤ 2 meals/month
York River Basin	Mattaponi River	From Rt. 628 downstream 55 miles to confluence with Pamunkey River	King William Co., King and Queen Co.	PCBs	Striped Bass, White Perch, Gizzard Shad	≤ 2 meals/month
York River Basin	Mattaponi River	From Rt. 628 downstream 55 miles to confluence with Pamunkey River	King William Co., King and Queen Co.	Mercury	Largemouth Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
York River Basin	Lake Gordonsville	Entire lake, also known as Bowlers Mill Lake	Louisa Co.	Mercury	Largemouth Bass	≤ 2 meals/month
York River Basin	Pamunkey River	from Rt. 615 Bridge downstream 72 miles to confluence with Mattaponi River	Hanover Co., King William Co., New Kent Co.	Mercury	Blue Catfish	≤ 2 meals/month
York River Basin	Pamunkey River	from Rt. 615 Bridge downstream 72 miles to confluence with Mattaponi River	Hanover Co., King William Co., New Kent Co.	PCBs	Gizzard Shad	≤ 2 meals/month
York River Basin	Herring Creek	from Rt. 628 bridge 7 miles to confluence of Mattaponi River	King William Co.	Mercury	Bluegill Sunfish, Yellow Bullhead Catfish	≤ 2 meals/month
York River Basin	Reedy Creek	from Rt. 301 dwonstream 4 miles to confluence with Mattaponi River	Caroline Co.	Mercury	Redbreast Sunfish, Yellow Bullhead Catfish	≤ 2 meals/month

Last Updated: August 29, 2024