Black spots = Mercury ??

[dead_weight]

I've never heard of any visual way of telling if they have mercury ... but for mercury size does matter ... the larger the fish the more likely it will contain mercury .. especially if it is in polluted waters. Even in Algonquin park for example there are several lakes where they do not recommend you eat the larger lakers (22 inches and above) because of the mercury. There are similar warnings for larger walleye and even brook trout although to a lesser degree. The MNR does test these lakes so the mercury content is coming from their tests.

I guess the moral of the story is to eat the smaller fish and have less chance of a mercury buildup ... I doubt that a 5lb pike would have too much but I guess that depends on what body of water you are on ... and if you eat them infrequently then why not. The guideline from the MNR for species where they found some mercury (but not enough to recommend no consumption) is to restrict yourself to 2 meals per month.

I would recommend that you cut down if you go to bed and the room is still really bright from the glow coming from your belly !!!

[Big Jim]

Hey Moonshine, those sores are probably skin cancer.

If you think your catch has Mercury in it just place the fish in the freezer nose first down...and when the temperature drops the Mercury will all gather in the fishes head just like a thermometer and you chop of the head and have a Mercury free catch ready for the fryin' pan ...which if you use to often will probably kill you before the Mercury...no guff...look at Chronz...

BIG~~~~~~~~~~NRX'd out.

[CPD]

It could be Loch Nar or perhaps even some good nyborg....man

[gerrymackenzie]

You guys are killing me ...lol.

In the freezer head down...that is too much.

Thanks for the "helpful" advice.

Gerry