CTFishTalk.com: eating cove fish - Connecticut River Reports ( CT River Reports ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

snap fisher777 · Joined: 18 Sep 2011 Posts: 238

Does anyone know if it is okay to eat panfish in keeney cove. Has anyone eaten from that cove?

atkins · Joined: 13 Apr 2010 Posts: 220 Location: Manchester

People eat everything from there, not saying i suggest it. I know of people eating crappie from weathersfield cove.
Panfish should be fine, Though i wouldnt make it a habit. follow the dep consumption guide.

snap fisher777 · Joined: 18 Sep 2011 Posts: 238

IceAddict · Joined: 31 Jan 2011 Posts: 77

Aside from all the drug syringes and fecal matter from the MDC treatment plant, you should be fine!!!!!!

snap fisher777 · Joined: 18 Sep 2011 Posts: 238

it goes into the cove?

IceAddict · Joined: 31 Jan 2011 Posts: 77

Just messing with you. Like all treatment plants, sewage has to meet acceptable levels before discharging into waterways. However, Wethersfield Cove has always battled with sewage of waterfront properties finding its way into the water. For this reason, I personally will not think about eating a fish, in or around Hartford's coves.

Stephen "Fish Pimp · Joined: 13 Jun 2011 Posts: 15

I wouldn't eat anything from the river IMO. That water is nasty and always seems to have a covering of oil/fuel on it at all times. Like the other poster said I am sure you will be fine if you cook it through. People down there eat anything which disgusts me but as long as they follow the rules I guess I shouldn't care.

What are you using for the crappie? I don't ever fish for them.

snap fisher777 · Joined: 18 Sep 2011 Posts: 238

worms and small shiners

snap fisher777 · Joined: 18 Sep 2011 Posts: 238

I think i am going to fish the cove tomorrow morning if i am up to it and give you a report.

Rivernut · Joined: 22 May 2010 Posts: 42

The CT River is contaminated with mercury and other contaminants that bio-accumulate in predators. The higher in the food chain you go, the worse it gets, usually by a factor of ten or more at each step. So panfish are not as contaminated as bass, catfish, eels, Stripers, and Walleyes. I used to work as a fisheries biologist on the CT River in MA, and I really like eating fish. I stopped eating freshwater fish about 30 years ago when I became aware of the mercury and PCB issues in New England. Mercury is in the envronment, specifically rain water, from the burning of coal and from the breaking of fluorescent light bulbs. It is also leached out of the ground by acid rain. Mercury damages the nervous system of animals. We are animals. The term "mad as a hatter", made popular from the children's book "Alice in Wonderland" was a reference to workers in the old felt hat industry, which treated the hats with mercury. Over-exposed workers had mercury poisoning. Mercury is in all bodies of water in New England. Serene mountain-top lakes are not exempt. You can't see or taste the contamination in the fish, but it is proven to be there. As for taking fish froPm Keeny Cove...fish migrate long distances in river systems. Keeny Cove is a major wintering area for many CT River fish. A fish you catch there in the fall could be spending its summers in Hartford or Holyoke, MA. Bon appetit!
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fishfinder · Joined: 19 Jun 2011 Posts: 1672 Location: Naugatuck, Ct.

I worked in that Hat factory!! It is a cabinet sop now in Danbury (which it was hen I worked there!) Its called Kingswood Kitchens.
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