Do you fish in the Willamette River?
Eating fish is good for you! However, some fish and shellfish in the Lower Willamette River through Portland contain contaminants that make them unsafe to eat.
Contaminated fish do not look or act sick. If you fish between Kelley Point Park and the Sellwood Bridge, or in the Multnomah Channel to Wapato Bridge, there are some fish you shouldn’t eat.
Safe to Eat
These fish are safe because they spend only a short time in the Lower Willamette River.
| Salmon |
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| Steelhead |
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| Shad |
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Limit
These fish live their whole lives in the Lower Willamette and are exposed to contaminants from the river bed. Because they’re small and have shorter lives, they’re okay to eat in small amounts.
| Black crappie 2 fish (or 4 meals if filleted) per month |
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| Crayfish 2 meals per month |
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| Mussels (illegal to harvest/tribal use only) 7 meals per month |
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Don’t Eat
These fish live their whole lives in the Lower Willamette and are highly exposed to contaminants in the river bed.
| Carp |
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| Brown bullhead or catfish |
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| Bass |
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| Clams (illegal to harvest/tribal use only) |
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Meal Size
About the size and thickness of your hand. Give children less.
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Cleaning and Cooking
You cannot cook or wash contaminants out of fish but you can reduce your exposure. Note: These cleaning methods do not reduce your exposure to mercury found in the meat of fish and shellfish.
- Remove and throw away the skin, fat, organs, head and tail.
- Grill, bake, steam or broil fish so that the fat can drain off. Don’t eat drippings.
- Eat younger, smaller fish
Angler Wayne: How to fillet a fish (PDF)
Other Places to Fish
Before heading out, check for other fish advisories»
It's important to know that not all of Oregon's fish or waters have been sampled for contaminants.
50 places to go fishing within 60 minutes of Portland»
Watch and share this video that encourages the safer fishing of carp and other resident fish. Video is available in English, Chinese and Russian.
Posters
Handouts
For more languages, contact us.
Portland Harbor Superfund Site
Contamination from decades of industrial use in the Portland Harbor has settled into the river bed. These contaminants include:
- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Dioxins/furans
- Pesticides
In December 2000, the Environmental Protection Agency declared Portland Harbor a Superfund site. This forces the parties responsible for the contamination to clean it up.
The health risk of most concern is people eating fish from this area.
The Superfund site is located just south of the Columbia Slough and north of the Broadway Bridge. The fish advisory area extends further, based on where contaminated fish have been found.
Portland Harbor Superfund Story Map
Can I swim in the river?
Yes, most of the time you can dive right in! Contaminants are in the river bed and are not in the water. The water is also tested regularly for bacteria and harmful algae blooms.
Check current conditions»
Swimming areas»
Help Get the Word Out
We’re looking for people who are interested in talking with their community about fishing and eating fish from the Lower Willamette River. There will also be opportunities to participate in workshops to create informational materials.
To get involved, contact Beth Appert, beth.appert@multco.us, 503-347-5068.
More Information
- EPA - Portland Harbor Superfund Site
- City of Portland - Portland Harbor Superfund Site
- Oregon DEQ - Portland Harbor Superfund Site
- Portland Harbor Community Coalition
- Portland Harbor Community Advisory Group
- Portland Harbor Natural Resource Trustee Council
Questions?
Contact Beth Appert, Fish Advisory Coordinator
beth.appert@multco.us, 503-347-5068