ON FARM LAKE NEAR ELY, Minn. — Dave Setterholm steered his motorboat across Farm Lake then cut the engine along the Kawishiwi River near the edge of the Boundary Waters wilderness.

Cross into the Boundary Waters and Setterholm said he’d still dip a cup over the side of a canoe to drink the pure water. But eating fish out of these lakes is another matter. There’s mercury in the water. Anglers are warned against eating more than one fish a month.

“And for my grandson, who was just here the other day, he shouldn’t eat anything until he’s at least 15. Or if you’re thinking about being pregnant, you shouldn't be eating it,” said Setterholm, who directs water quality testing for the White Iron Chain of Lakes Association.

“To me, that’s scary.”

Pollution doesn’t respect boundaries. Hundreds o

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