Columbia Slough Fish Advisory

Information

Eating fish is good for you and an excellent source of protein. However, fish from the Columbia Slough may contain contaminants that make the fish harmful to eat. Learn how to fish smart and eat safe to protect the health of you and your family.

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Do you fish in the Columbia Slough?

A photograph of a fish advisory sign posted in a park area. The sign contains a warning and provides guidance on what not to eat and who is most at risk. This information is found on this web page. — Advisory signs are posted at many locations along the Columbia Slough.

Eating fish is good for you and is an excellent source of protein. However, fish in the Columbia Slough may contain contaminants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and pesticides that are harmful to eat. Contaminated fish do not look or act sick.

The Oregon Health Authority recommends limiting how much you eat in order to protect yours and your family's health.

For nearly all resident fish, the health authority recommends eating only one fillet meal each month for all fish caught in the slough.

The health authority revised this advisory in 2022 for resident fish from the Columbia Slough (from Kelley Point Park to Blue and Fairview lakes). Resident fish are those fish that live their whole lives in the slough and are exposed to contaminants in the sediments throughout their lifetime. As a result, they have higher amounts of contaminants in them.

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Download this advisory information in a PDF format available in 15 languages.