Herb Parsons Lake, Lake LaJoie, and Hatchie River included in Fish Consumption Advisory
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) announced a precautionary fish consumption for a river, lakes and reservoirs in Tennessee. Herb Parsons Lake, Lake LaJoie, and part of the Hatchie River were included in the advisory.
Advisory for Largemouth Bass on Herb Parsons Lake in Fayette County
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) announced a precautionary fish consumption advisory for largemouth bass due to mercury on Herb Parsons Lake in Fayette County.
TDEC advises that pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children avoid eating the fish and that all others limit consumption to one meal per month. Other recreational activities such as boating, kayaking, swimming, wading, and catch-and-release fishing carry no risk.
In 2023 and 2024, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), in cooperation with TDEC, collected largemouth bass for tissue analysis on Herb Parsons Lake. Fish were analyzed for mercury by the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) through a contract with TDEC. Herb Parsons Lake is a TWRA fishing Lake near Collierville.
The advisory applies to largemouth bass for the entirety of the lake based on data exceeding Tennessee’s trigger point for mercury. Mercury in largemouth bass averaged 0.35 mg/kg, which is above the trigger point of 0.3 mg/kg. The advisory is consistent with TDEC’s responsibilities under the Tennessee Water Quality Control Act.
Advisory for Largemouth Bass on Lake Lajoie in Hardeman County
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) announced a precautionary fish consumption advisory for largemouth bass due to mercury on Lake Lajoie in Hardeman County.
TDEC advises that pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children avoid eating the fish and that all others limit consumption to one meal per month. Other recreational activities such as boating, kayaking, swimming, wading, and catch-and-release fishing carry no risk.
In 2024, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), in cooperation with TDEC, collected largemouth bass for tissue analysis on Lake Lajoie. Fish were analyzed for mercury by the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) through a contract with TDEC. Lake Lajoie is an impoundment on Grays Creek and within Chickasaw State Park near Bolivar.
The advisory applies to largemouth bass for the entirety of the lake based on data exceeding Tennessee’s trigger point for mercury. Mercury in largemouth bass averaged 0.35 mg/kg, which is above the trigger point of 0.3 mg/kg. The advisory is consistent with TDEC’s responsibilities under the Tennessee Water Quality Control Act.
Advisory for Black Bass on Section of Hatchie River in Hardeman County
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) announced a precautionary fish consumption advisory for black bass due to mercury on Hatchie River in Hardeman County from Hwy 100 bridge crossing near Whiteville upstream to Hwy 64 bridge near Bolivar.
TDEC advises that pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children avoid eating the fish and that all others limit consumption to one meal per month. Other recreational activities such as boating, kayaking, swimming, wading, and catch-and-release fishing carry no risk.
In 2009, 2016, and 2024, TDEC and the EPA, collected fish for tissue analysis on Hatchie River for all black bass species. Fish were analyzed for mercury by the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) through a contract with TDEC. The Hatchie River is a direct tributary to the Mississippi River and flows through Hardeman, Madison, Haywood, Tipton, and Lauderdale counties.
The advisory applies to all black bass species, based on data exceeding Tennessee’s trigger point for mercury. Mercury in black bass (largemouth and spotted) averaged 0.43 mg/kg, which is above the trigger point of 0.3 mg/kg. The advisory is consistent with TDEC’s responsibilities under the Tennessee Water Quality Control Act.
“Unlike ‘Do Not Consume’ advisories that warn the general population to avoid eating fish from a particular body of water altogether, precautionary fish consumption advisories are specifically directed to sensitive populations. They include children, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and those who may eat fish frequently from the same body of water,” said Ronné Adkins, deputy commissioner for Environment at TDEC. “These advisories help the community make informed decisions about whether or not to consume the fish.”
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