Does anyone know what the best lake(s) is in North Carolina to catch and eat Largemouth Bass?  In doing some research I found out that there is a statewide advisory for bass consumption due to high levels of mercury contamination in certain lakes (eg, Lake CrabTree)???

Interesting first post

One with bass in it

Most lakes in NC have Largemouth, and i cant think of any lakes here that have restriction regarding consumption of fish as far as health concerns.

Agree with Slone, "interesting first post"......

Thanks for responding and the info.  I am new to the NC area and have never caught a Largemouth before.  I am also a fisherman that wants to eat what I catch, lol!  Anyway I'm planning to take my family fishing for some largemouths here shortly now that the weather is beginning to break, but I heard from a local to be careful, because some of the lakes are contaminated with high levels of mercury, one in particular, Lake Crabb Tree.  So I need some helpfull advise...

Hey, buddy, trust the Gorton's Fisherman! Welcome to the board.

I think the local was trying to persuade you into not eating the bass. By and large, bass fisherman release what they catch. Which is why bass are plentiful and don't need regular stocking.  I'm sure most of the people who post here release most if not all of their bass. If I could make a suggestion, if you want a meal for the family, try fishing for crappies or bluegill, they taste better than bass.

scott f hit the nail on the head.

I wouldn't eat anything out of Crabtree even though I thought the advisory was only for bottom fish lie cats. I have eaten a few bass from Falls and Jordan when they have been hooked deep. I don't think there is anything wrong with keeping a few even though I almost always release. I do let my son keep some on occasion. But I agree bluegill and crappie are better to eat so I'd be looking for them if wanted fish for the skillet.

I suggest eating catfish or bream they taste way better and Iv heard High Rock Lake has semi high mecury levels

Please don't eat bass. Nobody likes a bucket bass fisherman. Catch yourself some crappie and have a fish fry.

CPR. Catch, Photograph, Release.

NC is a big state. Hard to recommend any particular lake since you didn't mention what area you are in. Crappie are my favorite to eat, and I release the bass.

Bass is a good fish to eat and I will keep some from time to time. I am am avid bass fisherman and love the sport but if I am fish hungry I will keep them as long as they are within my slot limit. If you are just wanting to eat fish you would get more out of catfish or crappie but hey it's within your rights to keep watch you catch as long as you are following the law.

I release pretty much everything I catch. while I'm aware that there are some lakes with those types of warnings, by and large, most lakes in NC would supply safe fish for the table. I know that Crappie are good to eat and a few of my friends encourage me to keep spots when caught although I haven't caught any yet.

 

Some salt and pepper cat fish sure sounds good!!

Yeah, I've heard the same thing regarding Lake Crabtree. I wouldn't eat anything out of there if I were you. High mercury levels is what I have heard. 

Usually, the durham/raleigh/chapel hill area has some nice ponds and lakes you can go to where they allow you to catch and keep fish.

Have fun!

i dont see nothing wrong with a guy wanting to keep the bass he and his family catches to eat so long as theyre legally caught. for all the catch and release that takes place, its probably good some people actually do keep largemouths to eat. some people may prefer crappie and catfish over bass, but everyones taste isnt the same, some probably prefer the largemouth.

I dont make turds of the bass i catch unless they are spotted or hybrid. Then they might get eaten some. Other than that they swim away good as new but maybe a broke jaw.

 

Now the deer i kill are a different story...

I've eaten some delicious bass.

That is either a mistake or someone trying to keep more people from fishing High Rock.

 

In 2001 an eagle was found dead and tested and it had high mercury levels.  The water in High Rock was tested thoroughly and it was found to be completley within health standards.

 

If there was a risk it would be posted clearly at ever access point.

 

High Rock is safe as well as the rest of NC lakes.

 

My advice would be that if you want to keep some bass to eat, it is perfectly safe.  If you catch a bass over 7 pounds, please take a bunch of pics, weigh it and put it back.  The big girls have the genes to produce more giant bass.  If you have pics and weight/length measurements, you can get a replica made for the wall.

 

Eat the little guys.  Besides, most people agree that Crappie and Bream/bluegill taste better anyway.  And HR has plenty of big catfish as well.