The primary goal of this study was to estimate the levels of contamination in fish populations, and the risk these levels pose to human and wildlife consumers. Secondary goals were to identify factors that affect the distribution of contaminants in fish tissue, to gather evidence relating to likely sources, and to provide insights useful in managing the problem. The study expands upon EPA's Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP), and uses a more intensive sampling protocol. (EMAP is a federal research program designed to monitor the long term status and trends of the nations' ecological resources.) The primary objective was to determine concentrations of cadmium, lead, mercury, PCBs and selected pesticides in fish collected from Maine lakes. The project enabled DEP to estimate the relative number of lakes impacted and to assess contaminant distribution patterns.