BATON ROUGE, La.--The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) advises anglers and boaters to enjoy the abundant outdoor recreation Louisiana has to offer, but be mindful of recent warnings issued by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). Recently, LDH has issued an advisory regarding the algal bloom in Lake Pontchartrain -http://ldh.la.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/5177.

LDH has advised the public to avoid the algae, which can cause rashes, stomach cramps, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Anyone exposed should wash with soap and water. If you think algae has made you sick, see your doctor.

LDH has also noted that algae toxins have not been found in the edible parts of fish, but that fish should not be harvested or eaten from the lake during the bloom.

LDWF encourages the public to continue monitoring the LDH water advisories around the state. LDH experts are charged with protecting and promoting the health of the communities of our state and are at the forefront of advising the public on these safety issues. LDWF is charged with managing the fisheries resources of the state and promoting safe and enjoyable use of those resources by the public.

For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov. To receive email alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.