Is it safe to eat fish from lakes that have toxic algae?
The toxins have been found in the liver, intestines and pancreas of fish. Most information to date indicates that toxins do not accumulate significantly in fish tissue, which is the meat that most people eat. It is likely that the portions of the fish that are normally consumed would not contain these toxins. However, it is ultimately up to the public to decide whether they want to take the risk, even if it is slight. Anglers may want to practice catch and release at lakes containing toxic algae. Where can I find out more information about lake sampling for toxic algae? The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality is conducting weekly and monthly sampling at select public lakes that are either popular recreational lakes, or have historically had toxic algae problems. This information is updated weekly on the DEQ agency Web site. What should I do if I have concerns regarding a private lake? As part of the University of Nebraska Water Quality Extension Program , UNL has developed a “
