Marc Looze, 608.251.7020, air pollution campaign director, Clean Wisconsin

Claire Schmidt, 608.251.7020/442.0121, southern reg. coordinator, Wisconsin Stewardship Network

 

Madison, WI—Clean Wisconsin (formerly Wisconsin’s Environmental Decade) and the Wisconsin Stewardship Network (WSN) have teamed up to offer helpful information on staying healthy in the new fishing season.  Although all lakes and rivers in Wisconsin are under a fish-eating advisory for mercury contamination, there are things anglers can do to protect themselves and their families from mercury poisoning, and still eat their catch.

 

Pregnant or nursing women, women of childbearing age, and children under fifteen years old are recommended to limit their fish consumption to protect themselves from mercury contamination.  Mercury is a neurotoxin; it affects brain function and is especially toxic to growing children.

 

“Fishing is part of what makes Wisconsin great.  I’ve been fishing in Wisconsin my entire life, and eating what I catch is important to me.  Fortunately there are types of fish I can catch and eat that are low in mercury like bluegill, perch, and trout,” said Claire Schmidt, long-time angler and southern Wisconsin coordinator for WSN.

 

Coal-burning power plants are by far the largest source of mercury in Wisconsin.  Mercury is released from coal when it is burned.  This mercury gets into our lakes and rivers through rainfall. Mercury builds up in the bodies of fish and other wildlife, sometimes making them too toxic to eat.  For example, loons, which live on fish, are heavily impacted by mercury pollution.In order to clean up Wisconsin’s mercury pollution, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is writing rules to limit mercury emissions from coal-burning power plants.  These rules will cut mercury pollution up to ninety percent.

 

In the meantime, fishers and their families can enjoy “healthy fish” with the following recipes.  “After all, it’s important for Wisconsinites to be able to fish and eat their catch, and that’s why Clean Wisconsin is dedicated to working hard to reduce mercury pollution,” said Marc Looze, air pollution director at Clean Wisconsin.

 

Wisconsin Batter-fried Bluegill (Serves 4)
1 lb. bluegill fillets1 egg
1 cup flour Salt and pepper to taste
3/4 cup milk* Vegetable oil

(*beer may be substituted for milk)
 

Pat the fish dry with paper towels. In a bowl, mix the egg, flour, and milk until the batter is smooth. Allow to
stand for 15 minutes. Dip the fish in the batter, and then fry in hot oil until both sides are browned.

Grilled Trout With Almonds (Serves 4)

Marinade:1/2 cup lemon juice, 4 tsp. salt and 1/4 Tbs. pepper

4 trout, each 8 or 9 inches long

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup chopped or sliced almonds

Clean fish, leave whole. Marinade trout for 2-6 hours. Drain fish, brush with ¼ cup butter. Place fish directly on grill or in grill basket. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side. Add remaining 1/4 cup butter with chopped or sliced almonds to small frying pan. Cook almonds until the butter is lightly browned. Pour butter and almonds over grilled fish and serve right away.

 

Bluegill or Crappie Chowder
Finely chop:
5 large white (or sweet) potatoes
1 large onion

2 cloves garlic
3 stalks celery

1 green pepper

Add vegetables to:

1 cup milk
1 cups stock or 

1 cup water with 1 boullion cube

2 Tbs. butter
Salt and pepper to taste

Bring the above to a boil and simmer at least 2 hours. About 30 minutes before serving mix together and add:
1/2 cup water
3 Tbs. flour
2 pounds diced bluegill
2 Tbs. melted butter

Simmer 30 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)

With an office in Madison since 1970, Clean Wisconsin is an environmental advocacy group protecting Wisconsin’s water and air for today and our future.For more information, contact them at 122 State Street, Suite 200, Madison, WI 53703-2500.Telephone 608.251.7020, fax 608.251.1655, email info@cleanwisconsin.org, website www.cleanwisconsin.org.The Wisconsin Stewardship Network is a statewide organization supporting the work of Wisconsin's hunting, fishing, conservation, and environmental organizations. For more information contact them at 608.268.1218.