Across northern Minnesota’s pristine lake country, mercury contamination is growing
Pollution doesn’t respect boundaries. Hundreds of lakes across the North Woods are contaminated with mercury, including those in protected areas like the Boundary Waters. That contamination is worsening now despite years of efforts to close coal-fired power plants and scrub industrial emissions.
Check out the story from Minnesota Public Radio News about mercury in our lakes in northern Minnesota, learn where it comes from and how it is affecting fish and the recommendations for fish consumption. There is some good news too about work being planned to reduce the amount of mercury in the lakes.
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2025/08/05/mercury-pollution-minnesota-lake-country