The Texas Department of State Health Services today issued a revised fish consumption advisory for Ellison Creek Reservoir, also known as Lone Star Lake, due to unsafe levels of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs.

 

DSHS tested tissue samples from fish as part of a re-evaluation of the lake. Concentrations of dioxins and PCBs in channel catfish, common carp, flathead catfish, hybrid striped bass, largemouth bass, spotted gar, sunfish and white bass continue to exceed DSHS guidelines for protection of human health.

 

DSHS recommends people limit or avoid consumption of these species as outlined in the table below because eating contaminated fish can be a health hazard.

                                                           

 

Women of childbearing age and children under 12 avoid and do not eat Channel Catfish, Common Carp, Flathead Catfish, Hybrid Striped Bass, Spotted Gar, Sunfish Species (Bluegill, Green, Redbreast), and White Bass. Largemouth Bass can be eaten 1 meal per month. 

Women past childbearing age and males 12 and older avoid and do not eat Common Carp and Hybrid Striped Bass. Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Spotted Gar and Sunfish Species (Bluegill, Green, Redbreast) can be eaten 1 meal per month. Largemouth Bass and White Bass can be eaten 2 meals per month. 

 

DSHS removed the consumption advisory for bowfin and crappie from Ellison Creek Reservoir because testing indicated that concentrations of dioxins and PCBs have decreased to acceptable levels and no longer pose a significant health risk.

 

To view the map, advisories and other information about fish testing, go to www.dshs.state.tx.us/seafood.