Eating Nelson Lake Fish

[Tymurrey]

Was going to take kids to Nelson, what are the thoughts of eating the bluegills or crappies from there. I always catch and release but the kids like to keep some for a meal when we go fishing.

 

[KDM]

I don't really have anything but general rules of thumb. One, oftentimes the fish that spend more time in artificially warm water contain more parasites. Two, fish diseases and maladies tend to be elevated in extended warm water conditions, and three, meat from fish from warmer waters tend to be "mushy" compared to cooler water. I will restate, that I don't have ANY concrete evidence that nelson lake fish are any different than any other fish in ND. Good Luck!!

 

[wales]

Was going to take kids to Nelson, what are the thoughts of eating the bluegills or crappies from there. I always catch and release but the kids like to keep some for a meal when we go fishing.

I would have no problem eating them now.

 

[Eatsleeptrap]

What KDM said. We fished Nelson a lot, but that was 38 years ago. No problems with taste or parasites, but a definite texture issue.

 

[Rut2much]

I like to use a thermometer whilst cooking but also demand my sushi raw. I'd say eat away!

 

[walleyewanker]

It would be the last place in the state that I'd keep fish from.