How long does fresh fish keep?

[catman529]

After filleting fish, how long would you keep the fillets in the fridge before considering them bad? Also, how long will a whole fish keep? I need to do a better job keeping up with these stocked trout. Hope I still got some good eating, if not, I have some good cut bait.

 

[rsimms]

They will "keep" in frig several days... but they'll start to breakdown and get mushy. They won't be nearly as good to eat. Especially trout...

If I'm going to cook them in LESS than 48 hours (preferably less), I'll go with the frig. More than 48 hours and I'll freeze them.

And again, with trout I'm not sure I wouldn't cut that time frame down to 24-36 hours.

 

[catman529]

thanks for the input. Might have some good cut bait. lol

Next time I go down and catch my limit then I will have em in the freezer right away unless I plan to eat them within a day for sure.

 

[Roger]

If you dont have a vacuum sealer to seal the freezer bags be sure to freeze them in water. They will keep better and taste better too.

 

[B.D.]

I agree with everyone else - a couple days, give or take. It's easy to tell if it's been too long because it'll have an "off" smell. Fresh fish shouldn't stink.

By the way, when you're putting limits in your freezer, don't forget that the possession limit is two daily limits. I have never heard of this being enforced, and I imagine it would be tough for the wildlife officer to check, but if you've got more than two limits of any type of fish in your freezer, technically you aren't legal. Eat some before you put any more away.

bd

 

[catman529]

I agree with everyone else - a couple days, give or take. It's easy to tell if it's been too long because it'll have an "off" smell. Fresh fish shouldn't stink.

By the way, when you're putting limits in your freezer, don't forget that the possession limit is two daily limits. I have never heard of this being enforced, and I imagine it would be tough for the wildlife officer to check, but if you've got more than two limits of any type of fish in your freezer, technically you aren't legal. Eat some before you put any more away.

bd

oh yeah, I totally forgot about that. I bet half the fishermen here are breaking the law with that one. ;) and I wonder why that law is in place. I'll keep it in mind, and be glad that bluegills don't have a limit, because I am hoping to stock up on them this winter if I can find a good honey hole.

 

[B.D.]

I tend not to fill up my freezer too much. I can get fresh fish pretty much whenever I want, so there's no need to pile up a bunch of frozen fish.

bd

 

[shopson]

Put them in the freezer and just keep quiet. I give those who let me hunt fish, feed my elderly parents fish, have famuly fish fries, and give some away now ant then to someone who asks for some. I only put carp, gar, and red horse in the freezer though.