Fishing Tackle Tip: Great Methods for Cleaning Walleye

The popularity of the walleye fish can be a combination of its beauty, size and the desire to catch it. The walleye themselves are not easy fish to obtain. A great deal of planning must go into the day in order to find the perfect spot during the right time in order to catch your next walleye. This well-liked fish is indeed regulated in many states around the US and similar areas in Canada.

Due to the reputation of the walleye, there can be strict regulations about the size of the walleye that you can pull out of the water, so be sure to recognize any stipulations in the area where you are fishing for your walleye. Check the regulations on where you happen to be fishing since some areas will require you to keep the skin on your fillets before crossing borders. If you fillet a fish and make it unrecognizable and unable to measure accurately, it is against the law and should be avoided.

Cleaning walleye can be extremely easy, especially for those who have had their hand at cleaning fish previously. Do not feel that you will be at a disadvantage if you have never cleaned a fish before; walleyes are one of the easier fish to clean and prepare for that big feast. Sometimes getting the assistance of someone who has experience cleaning walleye could be beneficial for you if it is your first time trying your hand at cleaning a walleye. No matter if you are grilling, baking or broiling your walleye fish, you will need to effectively clean the fish to avoid any small bones and give you perfect fillets for your next meal.

Some fishermen will use a regular knife blade while others prefer an electric knife. The difference between each tool is merely personal preference. As you become more skilled at cleaning fish, you can decide which knife works best for your own cleaning methods.

All in all, cleaning a walleye should take no longer than just a few short minutes, but take your time and be careful when going through each step to avoid making any mistakes along the way. By slicing the walleye at the gills and letting it bleed out on a stringer for a few minutes you are sure to get pure white fillets.

To begin cleaning your walleye, you will want to lay the fish on its side with the head in your one hand. Most prefer to cut out the cheeks first to get an exceptional addition to the meal. Take the knife and place it directly behind the forward fin. While some angle their knife towards the head at this point, others face it directly down towards the spine. Once you are cutting down, you will want to be sure you do not cut through the backbone, but rather once you reach the spine, turn your knife sideways facing towards the tail of your walleye. This will give you the angle you need in order to continue on down the length of the fish to reach the tail. This piece of meat will be your first fillet.

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best walleye fishing information possible. Go to http://www.askwalle yefishing. com/editorials/ 3-methods- for-cleaning- walleye.html for more information on walleye fishing.