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PFAS Sampling in the Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program
Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program Overview
Contaminants in Illinois sport fish are monitored by the Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program (FCMP), which is a cooperative effort between the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) and the Departments of Agriculture, Natural Resources (IDNR), and Public Health (IDPH).
The FCMP collects approximately 250 fish samples from 40-50 stream, river, and inland lake stations, and from several Lake Michigan open water/harbor stations each year. These samples are sent to the Illinois EPA Division of Laboratories to be analyzed for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), and Methylmercury. Fish consumption advisories, which reflect recommended dietary restrictions for a specific species within a specific waterbody and may be driven by one or more contaminants, are issued based on fish tissue analytical results compared with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) action levels and adopted Health Protection Values (HPVs) found from Illinois EPA Bureau of Water's Fish Contaminant webpage. Comparison of the sample results to these HPVs determines the need for issuing, modifying, or rescinding a fish consumption advisory. Fish consumption advisory meal categories include unlimited meals, one meal per week, one meal per month, and do not eat designations based on the potential for adverse health effects. IDPH is responsible for issuing fish consumption advisories, which can be found on their Fish Advisory webpage or by viewing their interactive Fish Advisory Map.
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Project
In 2021, the U.S. EPA GLRI awarded Illinois EPA grant funding for the purchase of laboratory equipment capable of analyzing PFAS in fish tissue. As part of the grant funding agreement, IDNR collected fish samples from the Lake Michigan open waters and basin during the 2022 and 2023 sampling seasons. These samples were analyzed for PFAS by Illinois EPA's Division of Laboratories, and results were compared to the Great Lakes Consortium for Fish Consumption Advisories’ “Best Practice for Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) Guidelines.” Resulting advisories can be found on IDPH's interactive Fish Advisory Map.
Statewide Monitoring for PFAS
In 2023, the FCMP began analyzing all fish tissue samples for 25 PFAS listed in U.S. EPA’s Method 1633, expanding to 40 PFAS by 2026. Results have indicated the need to issue advisories for several waterbodies and fish species across the state. Our current PFAS fish consumption advisories are due to elevated levels of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA) found in the edible portions of sportfish. Initial statewide sampling of public waterbodies for PFAS under the FCMP is expected to be completed by 2028, with continued long-term monitoring.
Waterbodies with 'Do Not Eat' Advisories for PFAS
Franklin Creek (Lee County)
Franklin Creek carries ‘Do Not Eat’ advisories for several species of fish including common carp, white sucker, black bullhead, bluegill, smallmouth bass, rock bass, and creek chub due to high levels of PFUnA found in the fillet tissue. In 2025, a precautionary advisory was issued for Mill Pond, within the Franklin Creek State Natural Area, based on the Franklin Creek data. Further testing of Mill Pond demonstrated that PFUnA was detected in such low concentrations that fish are safe to consume in unlimited quantities, and the advisory for Mill Pond was removed in April 2026. For more information, visit the Franklin Creek Fish Advisory page.
Monee Reservoir (Will County)
Monee Reservoir carries a ‘Do Not Eat’ advisory for largemouth bass due to high levels of PFOS found in the fillet tissue. For more information, visit the Monee Reservoir Fish Advisory page.
SIU Campus Lake (Jackson County)
SIU Campus Lake carries a ‘Do Not Eat’ advisory for largemouth bass due to high levels of PFOS found in the fillet tissue. For more information, visit the SIU Campus Lake Fish Advisory page.
The FCMP is working with other Bureaus and Programs to further investigate the extent of PFAS contamination in these areas. Additional advisories that restrict consumption of fish based on PFAS, PCBs, or methylmercury can be found on the IDPH Fish Advisory webpage.
Contacts
Illinois EPA
Lindsay.N.Broaddus@illinois.gov
217-524-1664
Illinois Department of Public Health
DPH.Tox@illinois.gov
217-782-5830