Fish Storage

When you catch your trophy fish, no matter how large or small, you need to be mindful to keep them cold. When you are on the lake, make sure you change the water often or leave them on a stringer in the water. Before you head home, make sure you change the water on the fish so that they start the trip with cold fresh water. Once you have arrived home change the water again. If you are not able to clean your catch right away, put ice cubes on your fish to keep them very cold, or refrigerate them until you can get them cleaned.

Once your catch is cleaned, (see the filleting fish section of this website) eating them right away is best. Why, because they taste best when fresh cooked. If you do have to wait to cook them, they are best if cooked within a 24 hour time period. If you are not able to eat them within a 24 hour time period, freeze them. To freeze fish, pack them in zip-lock, plastic, freezer bags. Place the amount of fish that you think you will want for a meal in the bag. Put enough cold water in the bag with the fish to cover them. Zip the bag closed and then set the bag/s of fish on a tray or plate in the freezer until they set. Setting them on a flat surface to freeze prevents them from freezing to the freezer coils or shelving. When unfrozen bags of fish are placed directly on the shelving, the moisture from the freezing process often sticks them solidly to the shelf causing the packaging to tear if moved.