Can You Eat that Fish From the Hudson?

one woman holding a catfish, another holding a striped bass, hudson river sign in the middle

Can You Eat that Fish from the Hudson?

Fish are nutritious and good to eat, but many fish in the Hudson River have levels of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) that may be harmful to your health. Even if the fish look healthy and the water looks clean, these chemicals are present in Hudson River fish, including striped bass.

The New York State Department of Health provides health advice for eating fish you catch from New York State waterbodies, including the Hudson River. The advice helps anglers make healthier choices about eating fish.

  • The Sensitive Population (people who may become pregnant under 50 years old and children under 15) should not eat any fish or crabs from the Hudson River between the South Glens Falls Dam in Warren County to the Rip Van Winkle Bridge in Catskill (Greene County). Fish in these Hudson River sections contain higher levels of PCBs which can be more harmful to young children and unborn babies. Use the links below to find the advice for the Lower Hudson River (Catskill to NYC).
  • The advice for the General Population (everyone else) depends on where in the Hudson River you are fishing and what type of fish you catch.

Upper- and Mid-Hudson Advice

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Advice on eating fish you catch from the mid-hudson, the Federal Dam at Troy to the Rip Van Winkle Bridge in Catskill. An accessible table with advice is available below.
Advice for eating fish from the Upper- and Mid-Hudson. The Sensitive Population refers to people who may become pregnant (under age 50) and children under 15. The General Population refers to everyone else.
River Section Fish General Population Advice Sensitive Population Advice
Upper Hudson, from Hudson Falls Dam in Hudson Falls to Federal Dam in Troy All fish Catch and Release fishing ONLY per NYS DEC regulations.
Take No Fish. Eat No Fish.
Mid-Hudson, Federal Dam at Troy to Rip Van Winkle Bridge at Catskill Yellow perch Up to 1 meal/month DON'T EAT
Striped bass DON'T EAT DON'T EAT
Rock bass Up to 1 meal/month DON'T EAT
Blueback herring Up to 1 meal/month DON'T EAT
Alewife Up to 1 meal/month DON'T EAT
All other fish DON'T EAT DON'T EAT

Lower Hudson Advice

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Advice on eating fish you catch from the lower hudson, from the Rip Van Winkle Bridge in Catskill to the New York City Battery. An accessible table with advice is available below.
Advice for eating fish from the Lower Hudson River.
The Sensitive Population refers to people who may become pregnant (under age 50) and children under 15. The General Population refers to everyone else.
River Section Fish General Population Advice Sensitive Population Advice
Lower Hudson River, south of Rip Van Winkle Bridge at Catskill to NYC Battery Yellow perch Up to 4 meals/month Up to 1 meal/month
White perch Up to 1 meal/month Up to 1 meal/month
White catfish DON'T EAT DON'T EAT
Walleye DON'T EAT DON'T EAT
Trout Up to 4 meals/month DON'T EAT
Striped bass Up to 4 meals/month Up to 1 meal/month
Smallmouth bass DON'T EAT DON'T EAT
Rock bass Up to 4 meals/month DON'T EAT
Rainbow smelt Up to 1 meal/month DON'T EAT
Pumpkinseed/Sunfish Up to 4 meals/month DON'T EAT
Northern pike Up to 4 meals/month DON'T EAT
Largemouth bass Up to 1 meal/month DON'T EAT
Gizzard Shad DON'T EAT DON'T EAT
Goldfish Up to 1 meal/month DON'T EAT
Freshwater drum Up to 1 meal/month DON'T EAT
Channel catfish DON'T EAT DON'T EAT
Chain pickerel Up to 4 meals/month DON'T EAT
Carp DON'T EAT DON'T EAT
Brown bullhead Up to 4 meals/month Up to 1 meal/month
Bluegill Up to 4 meals/month DON'T EAT
Bluefish Up to 1 meal/month DON'T EAT
Blue crab meat Up to 4 meals/month (six crabs per meal) DON'T EAT
Crab or lobster tomalley (hepatopancreas, mustard) and cooking liquid DON'T EAT DON'T EAT
Black crappie Up to 4 meals/month DON'T EAT
Atlantic needlefish Up to 1 meal/month DON'T EAT
All other fish See Statewide Advice
(Only for General Population)		 DON'T EAT

PCB Levels are Highest In the Skin and Fat of Fish

People who eat Hudson River fish can reduce chemicals in a fish meal by

  • Removing the skin
  • Trimming off the dark fatty meat
  • Broiling, grilling, or baking so the fat drips away. Avoid pan-frying.

Following these tips can help remove about 50% of the PCBs in a fish meal.

picture showing how to trim your fish

So Where Can I Eat the Fish?

The Hudson Valley has many great lakes, ponds, and rivers where it's healthy for the whole family to eat the fish. Visit our detailed county maps page to find public access fishing spots where everyone in the family can eat the fish they catch. Choose to eat fish from waters outlined in blue or purple and make sure to follow the recommended advisories.

Free Resources

Visit our Publications page to view available resources and order free materials.

Contact Us

Visit our program page to learn more about the Hudson River Fish Advisory Outreach Project or return to the New York State Fish Advisory homepage.

For additional questions, call 518-402-7530 or email hrfa@health.ny.gov.