Fish Consumption Guide · Updated 2026-05-09
Is It Safe to Eat Fish from Upper Kelly Lake?
Predator fish from Upper Kelly Lake are limited to 1 meal per month under statewide guidance. Panfish are 1 meal per week.
Quick Answer
Upper Kelly Lake, Waukesha County, WI — fish consumption guidance is set by Wisconsin DNR and Department of Health Services (DHS). Statewide Choose Wisely guidance applies, plus any waterbody-specific advisory in the DNR Fish Consumption Advisory Query.
Upper Kelly Lake is classified as mesotrophic, which influences mercury cycling but does not by itself determine fish-tissue mercury levels.
General Population — How Much to Eat
Based on species documented at Upper Kelly Lake in WI DNR survey data, applying WI DNR/DHS Choose Wisely statewide guidance.
| Species | Size | How Much to Eat |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-mercury species (Largemouth Bass, other bass) | all sizes | 1 meal per month |
Sensitive Population
Children under 15 and people who are or could become pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to breastfeed should follow the more protective guidance below.
| Species | Size | How Much to Eat |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-mercury species (Largemouth Bass, other bass) | all sizes | 1 meal per month |
Check the Official Source
For waterbody-specific advisories (PFAS, PCBs, dioxins, lake-specific mercury) beyond the statewide rules, always consult the official Wisconsin DNR Fish Consumption Advisory Query for Upper Kelly Lake.
Official WI DNR Advisory →Why Mercury Builds Up in Some Fish
Mercury enters lakes from atmospheric deposition (coal-fired power plants are the dominant US source), local geology, and historical mining or industrial activity. In water, it converts to methylmercury, which bioaccumulates: small fish absorb it, larger fish eat smaller fish, and apex predators end up with the highest concentrations.
That's why walleye, northern pike, muskellunge, and lake trout carry the strictest advisories — they're top predators that live a long time. Smaller, faster-growing fish like bluegill, crappie, and yellow perch have much lower mercury and can usually be eaten weekly.
In Minnesota, the Northeast (St. Louis, Lake, Cook counties — the Arrowhead) has higher background mercury due to mining legacy and forested wetlands that favor methylmercury production. MN MDH applies 2-inch shorter length cutoffs for walleye and pike in this zone.
For PFAS ("forever chemicals"), the contamination is point-source: industrial discharges, military firefighting foam, paper mill waste. Bay of Green Bay (WI) and select Northeast MN lakes have the most active PFAS advisories. PFAS is not well-correlated with mercury, so a lake with low Hg can still have a PFAS advisory.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to eat fish from Upper Kelly Lake?
Yes, with state-published limits. Predator fish from Upper Kelly Lake are limited to 1 meal per month under statewide guidance. Panfish are 1 meal per week. Upper Kelly Lake, Waukesha County, WI — fish consumption guidance is set by Wisconsin DNR and Department of Health Services (DHS). Statewide Choose Wisely guidance applies, plus any waterbody-specific advisory in the DNR Fish Consumption Advisory Query. For waterbody-specific advisories beyond the statewide rules, check the official WI DNR query linked on this page.
What is the most restrictive species at Upper Kelly Lake?
Upper Kelly Lake appears to hold mostly low-mercury species, which can be eaten 1 meal per week under statewide guidance.
Who is in the "sensitive population" for fish consumption?
In Minnesota, sensitive populations are children under 15 and people 15+ who are or could become pregnant, are breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed. Wisconsin defines this similarly. Sensitive populations should follow the most protective guidelines for all species.
Why are walleye and northern pike more restricted than panfish?
Mercury bioaccumulates up the food chain. Walleye, pike, musky, and lake trout are top predators that eat smaller fish, concentrating mercury in their flesh. Panfish like bluegill, crappie, and yellow perch eat insects and zooplankton — much lower mercury.
What about PFAS in fish from Upper Kelly Lake?
PFAS (forever chemicals) are an emerging concern in fish, especially near industrial/military sites and in the Bay of Green Bay (WI), Yahara chain (WI), and select Northeast Minnesota lakes. WI DNR has issued PFAS advisories for specific waters and is expanding sampling. Check the official query for current PFAS-specific guidance for Upper Kelly Lake.
Related
This page applies statewide guidance from Wisconsin DNR and Department of Health Services (DHS) to fish species documented at Upper Kelly Lake in DNR survey data. It does not replace lake-specific advisories published by health agencies. Always check the official query (linked above) for the most current guidance, especially for PFAS, PCBs, and dioxins which can require waterbody-specific advice. Last updated: 2026-05-09.