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SPRINGFIELD, ILL. -- Public health officials have issued new guidelines for eating fish caught in Illinois rivers and lakes.

A special mercury advisory was issued for largemouth bass caught at Siloam Springs Lake. It is recommended that women beyond childbearing age and males more than 15-years-old should limit themselves to one meal of the fish per week. It is also recommended that pregnant or nursing women, women of childbearing age and children under the age of 15 limit themselves to one meal a month containing the fish.

Several Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) advisories have been issued for Channel Catfish, Carp and Sturgeon caught in the Mississippi River, click here for the listings.

The Illinois Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program tests fish from about 40 bodies of water each year. Click here for a map of all affected areas.

The Illinois Department of Public Health issues consumption guidelines based on the test results. Click here for information on why testing is important.

Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck is director of the Illinois Department of Public Health. He says fish can be an important part of a balanced diet, but some contain contaminants that may make it unsafe to eat except in limited quantities.

The guidelines help people determine what type of fish to eat and how often.

For a list of Missouri advisories, click here.

For a list of Iowa advisories, click here.

Do these guidelines affect you or your loved ones? Let us know what you think in the comments section below or on our Facebook page here.