Stop eating my smallies I fished whitelick a lot last year...I don't keep bass so I haven't eaten fish from the creek, but after spending a ton of time in that water I would feel completely fine eating fish from it. What stretch of the creek are you fishing?...I haven't been north of 36 too far.
Maybe try it in small portions making sure you stay away from meat that is near the gut. Not to mention the fish you catch north of the treatment plant could have been from below it as well... I don't know the area but that's my take on it!
OK so explain why not the gut? Never heard that one before.
yes this, until you start glowing or hair starts falling out,I would eat it, not every day but I would eat it.
They are safe to eat but PLEASE catch and release the smallmouth