Pickerel....does anybody do anything with them?

DanMcG · Jun 5, 2009

Our lake is seeing a huge resurgence in the pickerel population over the last couple years, but nobody keeps them cause of all the bones.
I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or recipes as to what to do with them. I'd think they'd taste alot like a northern, but I'm not sure.
I was thinking pickled pickerel, just cause it sounds cool :)

hoser · Jun 5, 2009

The only thing I've seen done with pickerel, was an older gent who chopped them up, put them in the food processor bones and all, and made fish cakes out of them.
They weren't too bad, but not my all-time favorite either.
Good luck in your search.

flash · Jun 5, 2009

I always thought they tasted pretty good fried, but you must cut them into small pieces and take small bites to expose the bone. Then you can discard it. Frying it in Canola or Peanut oil allows for really high temps and you will see alot of the bones basically dissolve.

joeblow3 · Jun 5, 2009

Being from Michigan, I would assume you are speaking of northern pike?? There are several u-tube videos showing how to clean a northern pike and removing the Y bones, quite easy and you are left with nothing but great tasting fish.. I have also heard Walleye be called pickerel which are even easier to clean again u-tube will show how to clean one in about 2 minutes.

9manfan · Jun 5, 2009

Pickled northern is very good, also cutting out the Y-bones and frying up the fish is very good also,,,,,it's a good tasting fish, it just gets a bad rap because of the bones compared to walleye's,,,

alx · Jun 5, 2009

That is my experience.They follow yellow perch spawn here on the magothy river and hit the same flashy lures.Rarely get above 2 pounds.
You can find clean grass eel around here occasionaly and that is excellent.

stickyfingers · Jun 6, 2009

Yeah...throw'em back.

tasunkawitko · Jun 6, 2009

pickeral are related to pike but are ingeneral smaller (not always) here's a great way to deal with those dang bones:

http://www.baitshopboyz.com/forum/fo...s.asp?TID=8496

erain · Jun 6, 2009

pickle them, the y bones dissolve in the pickle...

tasunkawitko · Jun 6, 2009

that's another good solution!

DanMcG · Jun 6, 2009

thanks for the all the ideas everyone.
TasunkaWitko, thanks your link was very helpful. I have never seen that method of filleting before.
Anybody got a favorite recipe for pickling?

erain · Jun 6, 2009

got a good one dan, will have to dig it out, will get it to you later ok.

tasunkawitko · Jun 6, 2009

here's one - i've got a few more if you are interested, but i will have to type them out - might take a day or two.

http://www.baitshopboyz.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9950

jimr · Jun 6, 2009

Here's the recipe I use for pickling.......Works well for pike, panfish, white bass and small sheepshead or for you "southern folk", freshwater drum... I always fillet the Y-bones out of the pike I use but I think this recipe will soften or dissolve the bones. Not for sure though. I have tried many pickled fish recipes and this is the best I've found.

PICKLED FISH IN WINE SAUCE

1 quart fish fillets
5/8 cup canning salt
white vinegar to cover fillets

stir well and place in refrigerator for 6 days stirring well daily. On 6th day rinse thoroughly in cold water. Pack fillets in a gallon jar....layer of fish, then layer of onions. Repeat until all fillets are in jar.

Wine Sauce

4 cups white wine (not cooking wine)
2 cups sugar
2 cups white vinegar
1 Tablespoon pickling spices

Mix well and pour over fish then store in refrigerator for an additional 5-6 days.

DanMcG · Jun 7, 2009

Thanks for the recipes guys!! I'll have to catch a couple fish now and try it.

smokertom · Nov 9, 2014

Come on folks......Pickerel in Canada where I live are Walleye. This is the best eating fresh water fish there is. Before you all say chop them up or throw them out, do a bit of research first.

floyd43 · Nov 22, 2014

Agreed, send them up here if you don't want them. I just smoked 3 fillets, salt pepper and garlic powder, no brine. 2 hours at 200, used cherry. Turned out great. little or No bones if they're cleaned properly

smokeymoake · Dec 9, 2014

What is this Pickerel fish you are speaking of? Where I come from a Pickerel is a Walleye, and a Walleye is a Yellow Pike and a Yellow Pike is fine eating.

freemason · Jan 20, 2015

why do so many people call walleye, pickerel? pickerel is a whole different fish. theyre in the same family as walleye and pike. but they are a little boney so most people don't eat them. for some reason people in Canada call walleyes pickerel but I never understood why.

atomicsmoke · Jan 20, 2015

FreeMason said:
why do so many people call walleye, pickerel? I never understood why.

Me neither, but they taste great (waleye).

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atomicsmoke
Jan 20, 2015

Pickerel....does anybody do anything with them?

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