BOISE, Idaho (AP) - The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is warning Idaho women and children to limit how much bass they eat because of high levels of mercury.

The agency issued an advisory on Monday after increased levels of mercury were detected in both smallmouth and largemouth bass in Idaho lakes, rivers and reservoirs.

Elevated mercury levels have been linked to learning disabilities in children and heart, nervous system and kidney damage in adults. Pregnant women should not eat fish containing mercury.

Agency spokesman Tom Shanahan says mercury intake can be limited by eating young bass that are small and have accumulated less mercury than larger bass.

Mercury levels can also be reduced by eating other fish, such as rainbow trout.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.