Four Kent County Lakes Added to Michigan’s “Do Not Eat” Fish Advisory

If you’re planning to cast a line in Kent County this week, you’ll want to think twice before keeping your catch.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued new “Do Not Eat” advisories for all fish caught in four local lakes and ponds after testing revealed high levels of PFOS, a chemical in the PFAS family.

The advisories apply to:

• Hopewell Indian Mounds Pond in Wyoming
• Luvis Lake in Grandville
• Porter Lake in Grandville
• Spelman Lake at the Wyoming Clean Water Plant

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, said the warning is serious:

“We recommend that no one eat fish listed as Do Not Eat, regardless of age or health. When these fish were tested, MDHHS found high levels of PFOS, and we want Michiganders to be aware that eating fish from these waterbodies could possibly lead to health problems in the future.”

Why PFOS Is a Concern

PFOS, short for perfluorooctane sulfonate, is a man-made chemical that doesn’t break down in the environment. Unlike mercury, which can sometimes be reduced by trimming fat from fish, PFOS is stored in the muscle, which is the part we eat.

Long-term exposure can cause:
• Thyroid problems
• Changes in immune response
• Increased cholesterol levels
• Liver damage
• Pregnancy-related complications like preeclampsia

MDHHS says signs are being put up around the impacted lakes to alert fishers. The state issues these advisories to protect public health, but catch-and-release fishing is still permitted.

For a full list of safe fishing guidelines across Michigan, you can check out the Eat Safe Fish Guide here.