Arizona warns of elevated mercury levels in Bartlett Lake fish

PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality has issued an advisory recommending people limit consumption of channel catfish and largemouth bass caught from Bartlett Lake.

Samples of fish tissue in recent tests have contained elevated levels of mercury which, if ingested, can cause numerous health problems including damage to the central nervous system.

Health risks from eating the fish in the advisory area are based on long-term consumption, not eating the fish just occasionally, according to the ADEQ.

Fish can accumulate elevated levels of mercury when larger fish consume smaller fish and insects.