BLACK EARTH, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources released its 2024-26 Choose Wisely fishing guide on Tuesday, bringing some positive news for fishers at Black Earth Creek.
The DNR removed its perfluorooctane sulfonate-based advisory for the creek, citing low enough levels shown by recent monitoring. Perfluorooctane sulfonate, or PFOS, are among the larger group of per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) that lawmakers have tried to combat in recent years.
PFAS are chemicals that can be found in non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers and some firefighting foams. PFOS are found in water near areas of PFAS contamination.
PFOS are mainly found in panfish, like bluegill and crappie, and can build up in the fishes’ tissue. The chemicals can stay in your body for years and have been linked to higher cancer risks and higher cholesterol levels.
“When you follow Wisconsin’s fish consumption advice, you are still able to enjoy the many health benefits from eating fish while limiting your contact with contaminants that can build up in them,” DHS Chief Medical Officer for Environmental and Occupational Health Dr. Sheryl Bedno said.