Trails » Fishing » Fishing Basics » Cleaning Fish » How to Store Fish

How to Store Fish

How to Store Fish

two trout kissing image by Scott Liddell from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

The day's fishing trip has been a success, and you are preparing to head home with your catch. The time between catching the fish and storage is critical. Your fresh catch should be properly stored so that it retains the maximum freshness and taste until you are ready to prepare it for a meal. You can use several methods that work equally well when it comes to storing fresh fish.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • Fillet knife
  • Ice
  • Cooler
  • Running water
  • Plastic wrap or aluminum foil
  • Refrigerator
  • Freezer
  • Freezer paper
  • Freezer marker or permanent marker
Step 1
Place fish that you catch in a live well or suspend in the water with a fish line to keep it alive until ready for cleaning and filleting. Fish can be kept alive or stored for up to one day before processing and filleting.
Step 2
Prepare fresh fish by cleaning and filleting with a fillet knife. Attempt to clean and fillet fish as soon as possible after catching to preserve the freshness of the fish.
Step 3
Place cleaned or filleted fish on ice in a cooler or ice chest. Open the drain plug of the cooler or chest so that melted water from the ice will drain away from the prepared fish. Add or change the ice if you use this method of storage for several days.
Step 4
Rinse freshly prepared fish under running water, blot dry and wrap with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Put the wrapped fish in a zip-close bag and place the bagged fish in a refrigerator in the meat drawer or near the back. Double-wrapping fish will help protect the fish from air that can impact the fish flavor. Placing the fish near the back or in a meat drawer will help maintain a more consistent cool temperature as the door is opened and closed.
Step 5
Freeze prepared fish by wrapping it tightly in aluminum foil and then wrapping freezer paper around the foil. Tape the paper tightly closed using freezer tape. Mark the packaged fish with a freezer marker or permanent marker to indicate the type of fish, date caught and freeze date.

Article Written By Keith Dooley

Keith Dooley has a degree in outdoor education and sports management. He has worked as an assistant athletic director, head coach and assistant coach in various sports including football, softball and golf. Dooley has worked for various websites in the past, contributing instructional articles on a wide variety of topics.

Write for Trails.com

  • Editor's Pick

    Backcountry Camping Tips

    Backcountry Camping Tips

    You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...

    More Backcountry Camping...

  • Popular Article

    Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

    Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

    Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...

    More Beach Camping...

  • Featured Video

    Common Sense Hiking Tips

    Common Sense Hiking Tips

    The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.

    More Camping Basics...

Outdoor Gear & Equipment

ALL NEW Trails Gear Store powered by:

Trail Finder

US Map

Search by Keyword