Don’t eat fish from these Alabama waters: 2026 state health advisories

The Alabama Department of Public Health has issued its annual fish advisories, cautioning residents about potential contamination in local fish across several rivers, streams, and lakes. 205focus.com readers should take note of these updated guidelines before heading out on their next angling trip.

Fishing remains a beloved pastime across the state, offering both recreation and a source of healthy sustenance. However, the department warned in its latest guide that toxic chemicals, which can accumulate in fish, have been identified in specific bodies of water. As noted in previous annual guidance, these safety measures are essential for public health.

Understanding the Advisories

Released this past Tuesday, the advisory stems from an analysis of 386 samples collected across 34 different bodies of water. You can find the official announcement from the department of public health here. Depending on the sample results, the state recommends either limiting the consumption of certain fish or avoiding consumption from specific areas entirely.

These findings were compiled from data collected in the fall of 2025 by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. For a comprehensive list of all current fish advisories, residents can access the full document here.

Why Contaminants Accumulate

Contaminants like mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and PFAS—often referred to as 'forever chemicals'—can enter waterways through industrial activity, farming, and stormwater runoff. Because fish bioaccumulate these substances in their tissues at levels often thousands of times higher than the surrounding water, the concentration grows as you move up the food chain to larger, older fish.

The department emphasized specific precautions for at-risk populations, including pregnant women and infants, advising them to avoid swordfish, king mackerel, shark, and tilefish. For these groups, consumption of albacore (white) tuna should be limited, with a preference for lower-mercury fish and shellfish, limited to two meals per week.

Is it safe to get on the water?

It is important to clarify that these advisories pertain strictly to eating the catch. The state confirms that activities such as boating, swimming, and catch-and-release fishing remain perfectly safe in these waters. These advisories are strictly a recommendation regarding the consumption of fish, not a closure of the waterways for recreation.