Sarah Lemmon October 14, 2015 6:15am

Green Lake is one of the most well fed lakes for fishing in the greater Seattle area. So I was happy to hear that the Green Lake fish are getting tested to make sure they aren’t contaminated. I was less thrilled to hear the current Fish Consumption Advisory was based on results from 2001 when the state’s Ecology department tested the lake. Was that the last time the study was done? That is unclear.

Last week the State Department of Ecology collected fish from Green Lake as part of its statewide Freshwater Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program. Fish were collected in the late night hours and taken back to a lab and analyzed for various contaminants such as: pesticides, PCBs, flame retardants, dioxins/furans, and mercury. The results will help state and local health departments asses risks to consuming potentially contaminated fish.

Currently, the risk advisory limits one carp per month and a few other precautions.

The results of the study will be shared with Seattle Parks Department and we will make sure we get a copy as well to share.