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Eating Red River fish

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I have been real curious about the fish in the red. Can you eat them? Would you eat them?
I have fished the river for over a year now and i release all i catch. People keep asking me if i can eat em and im not 100% sure. I hear from others that its not a good idea. Then i see alot of folks from out of town/state comming up here and packing up all they catch to take back home. Even the big ones, which is a real bummer.
I have even checked out the EPAs web site but i cant get a real grip on what you can and cant eat.
I have a buddy of mine comming out this month from WA. and im going to show him the fishery here on the Red. He said he wants a meal.
Shoud i take him to McDonalds or can i feed him a couple of small cats?
Thanks, and tight lines to all.

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Hey Ordie,

A few yrs. back I checked with NDSU and the guy I hooked up with had made tests and stated the Red here was cleaner than most lakes around here. Not the mud but chemicals like Mercury and lead. Hard to believe but that was his opinion. He stated the bigger they are the more chems in the fish which makes sense. I've eaten the pansize cats if they look good, and very tasty. I'm going to Shelly this weekend so may try Halstad and Hendrum.

Take care

Fred

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Bruce Contributor

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The fish from the Red are safe to eat. Catch and release the bigs one though, they aren't as good eating and it is best to put them back as it may take a catfish 30 years to get to the size of a sumo cat! I really enjoy shore lunches of fried catfish on the Red. I catch and release most of the fish I catch but ave a few now and then for a meal. Bruce

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I agree with Bruce's statement on fish consumption on the area rivers & also his choice of fish to consume.

Each state has some areas of concern and their local or national wildlife department is required to post any advisories or restrictions. Check the MN DNR's web site and you will find a fish consumption advisory section that will outline the details of any area of concern and also what fish or body's of water may be of higher risk.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/lakefind/fca/

You can also find methods of preparing fish that will lessen the chance of ingestion of contaminants an improve the quality of the fish you serve.

Again in general smaller fish have a much diminished capacity of building up contaminants and are a good choice for the table.

Practice Selective Harvest for a healthy environment, and a healthier you!

Backwater Eddy.......><,,>

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Thanks for the reply folks. I will try a couple of the little ones when my buddy gets out here.
All big fish i catch go back in for others to enjoy. All my wall hangers are reproductions. They look better and last longer.
Fred,
I hit the Red tonight at the Hendrum landing,
Got five and all were in the 5-7 lb range on frogs. Nice night for fishin, full moon, not too many bugs, not too hot.
I will keep my eye out for you this weekend.

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