Fishing in the Hoosic
The Hoosic River attracts many anglers who fish for sport along the river’s 70+ miles. The scenery, easy access, and variety of fish species make the Hoosic a very popular fishing destination in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York. While recreational fishing is harmless to human health, fishing for food consumption in the Hoosic River does pose possible health risks to civilians. Therefore, staying informed about the health concerns of eating fish from the Hoosic is both beneficial for peoples’ personal health and in better understanding the river as a whole.
What is/Why are there Consumption Limits?
A consumption limit refers to the recommended maximum amount of a substance that a person should eat. Consumption limits are often created to protect the public from harmful health outcomes which can be caused by consumption, such as eating fish sourced from the Hoosic. According to Vermont’s and Massachusetts’s Department of Health, there is a strict “Do Not Eat” policy for fish caught in the Hoosic River’s main stem. In Massachusetts, the Hoosic River’s main stem is defined as the section that runs from the channelized portion of the river in North Adams to the MA/VT state line. As for New York, consumption limits range from one meal per month to strict “Do Not Eat” policies depending on the species.
What is in the Hoosic River?
Strict consumption limits for the Hoosic River are mainly implemented to protect against polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. The Hoosic River has a long history with pollution of these “forever chemicals” which came from old industries located on the banks of the river. Once in the water, PCBs and PFAS are extremely challenging to expel, causing them to stay within the waterbody. PCBs and PFAS are absorbed by the river’s aquatic species and can be found in the tissue of the Hoosic’s commonly consumed fish species.
Why is this a problem?
Fishing for sport does not impose health concerns, however; when fish from the Hoosic River are caught and consumed, PCBs and PFAS enter the human body and can cause severe health issues. Health issues can include; worsened immunity, organ damage, fetal abnormalities, and even cancer. To add insult to injury, most of the species which are caught and consumed in the Hoosic, such as Brook trout, contain more harmful forever chemicals than other aquatic species. This is because Brook trout and other larger fish are higher up on the food chain than other species in the Hoosic. This means that larger fish species possess greater levels of PCBs and PFAS as these forever chemicals biomagnify. The term biomagnification refers to the buildup of toxins in species located higher up on the food chain. As smaller fish species are eaten by larger fish species, concentrations of forever chemicals build up over time in larger species. This means that the Hoosic’s Brook trout, Rainbow trout, Brown trout, and bass species are not a healthy food source and can cause lasting health issues.
What can be done?
As mentioned above, the removal of forever chemicals from the Hoosic is hard to accomplish. However, other actions can make the Hoosic River a safer place to fish and swim. First, improved education on the dangers of fish consumption in the Hoosic is important to prevent potential negative health outcomes. This means that by reading this blog post you are already working towards positive change! Second, monitoring and reporting potential sources of pollution can be an important way of preventing further river pollution. If you see evidence of illegal dumping, spills, or discharge, contact the local police department or the State Environmental Police to help spark remediation efforts. Third, you can make sure to do your own part in being a helpful river steward. This means reducing personal use of pesticides and fertilizers, cleaning up after your pet’s waste, and making sure your septic system (if you have one) isn’t leaching into any nearby waterbodies. These can all be small actions which can go a long way for the Hoosic’s health.
But I see people fishing in the Hoosic River?
Even though eating fish from the Hoosic can be harmful to your health, the river remains a popular destination for anglers looking to participate in the practice of catch and release. Catch and release means that once anglers catch a fish, they then release the live fish back into the waterbody. The challenge and skill it requires draws anglers to wade into the Hoosic River every year in attempts to catch its most prominent trout and bass species who put up a good fight when caught on the line. When asked about catch and release and fish consumption in the Hoosic, Trout Unlimited’s Taconic Chapter President, Bjorn Adkins, explained, “The Hoosic is one of New England’s few cold water wild trout fisheries. The trout currently in the Hoosic have survived being stocked and there is evidence of them reproducing in the Hoosic River. Catch and release allows fish to go on and have babies, maintaining the Hoosic’s title as a cold water wild trout fishery. If people do want to eat trout from the Hoosic, I recommend catching and eating trout from the Hoosic’s North Branch at Natural Bridge State Park in North Adams as the North Branch is the cleanest and least polluted tributary of the Hoosic River.” Sustainable fishing practices like catch and release can be extremely effective in ensuring that the health of the Hoosic and its species are sustainably managed while still allowing anglers to enjoy the sport they love.
Fishing responsibly
Especially during the summer months, it can be a great idea to bring a thermometer along with you when planning to catch and release. When the water temperature is 55℉ or below, trout experience no heat stress, giving them the best chance for survival. However, when water temperatures fall within the 56℉ to 67℉ range, trout start to experience heat stress and should be handled with greater care while fishing. When water temps are at or above 68℉, please refrain from fishing as trouts’ stress levels dramatically increase and their chances of survival decline. By checking the water temp with a thermometer before you cast, you can ensure that trout and other species remain protected and are sustainably managed. Responsible and careful fishing can be massive in doing your part to help the Hoosic and its beloved species for years to come!
~ Silas Rella-Neill, HooRWA Intern 2026