Hidden Rough Fish Delicacies

[squirrel92]

Just curious what types of "rough" fish everyone on here has tried, in what manner, and their opinion on it? For me personally:
Redhorse and white sucker: smoked and fried (cold water) - delicious
Common carp and buffalo: smoked (cold water) - fair/edible
Bullhead: smoked and fried (cold water) - fair/edible
Burbot: boiled and treated like lobster/crab - delicious
White bass (I realize it's a game fish): smoked, fried, grilled, baked - one of my favorites
Rock bass: fried - quite tasty, similar to largemouth and smallmouth fried
Gar: grilled - better than you'd expect

I also enjoy all the game species as well but I feel that these "rough" fish are underutilized.

 

[MSA]

Drum are my new favorite.

As far as buffalo...i tried cooking a couple a few different ways last year that i caught in the tailrace and by far the worst tasting fish i have ever tried. Id rather starve than eat buffalo again.

 

[DirtyMike]

I swallowed a goldfish one time.

 

[squirrel92]

Drum are my new favorite.

As far as buffalo...i tried cooking a couple a few different ways last year that i caught in the tailrace and by far the worst tasting fish i have ever tried. Id rather starve than eat buffalo again.

I have some friends that swear by drum. I'm an idiot for not keeping them in the Red when I was growing up. Is there a quick sure-fire method to cleaning those bad boys with their bone structure?

 

[Biglunch]

eelpout is great deep fried. I don't know if that's considered rough or not

 

[squirrel92]

eelpout is great deep fried. I don't know if that's considered rough or not

Haven't had it deep fried. I consider eelpout/burbot/ling to be rough.

 

[BBQBluesMan]

Smoked and canned sucker is real good. Know some guys from minnesota that can a bunch every year. Good stuff.

Some people consider catfish a "rough" fish. I just consider them delicious.

Next time I catch a drum, I will be cleaning it

 

[Captain Ahab]

All Burbot come home with me now. I love me some poor man's lobster.

 

[squirrel92]

All Burbot come home with me now. I love me some poor man's lobster.

Ever try boiling pike in sprite and doing the same thing? It is comparable.

 

[FishReaper]

Add 1 more vote for drum. every one i catch hits the table
Love catfish
Sucker is not bad tasting
the 1 ling i caught tasted great

 

[Biglunch]

I have a friend who swears largemouth bass is better than walleye never tried it myself. Any one ever eat any ?

 

[squirrel92]

I have a friend who swears largemouth bass is better than walleye never tried it myself. Any one ever eat any ?

It's glorious. Being your location says Jamestown, head to Heinrich-Martin and pick a few up to try.

 

[Enslow]

Deep fried nightcrawlers with a horseradish based dipping sauce.

 

[Brian Renville]

Deep fried nightcrawlers with a horseradish based dipping sauce.

Video or it didn't happen! ;:;popcorn

 

[MuskyManiac]

We tried deep fried crappie eggs one spring....not good.

Whitefish/cisco are just awesome smoked.

 

[KDM]

Deep fried redhorse sucker in the spring cold water = Goodness
Eelpout/burbot/ling boiled with sugar = Goodness
Smoked Carp = Goodness Deep fried carp = Fairness
Smoked Whitefish/Cisco = Goodness
Deep fried bullhead + Lots of Beer = Good Buzz with upset stomach

 

[Petras]

LargeMouth bass are very delicious. grew up eating lots of them... they are very tastey.... we used to catch hundreds of them and beer batter them

 

[Captain Ahab]

Ever try boiling pike in sprite and doing the same thing? It is comparable.

I usually do burbot and walleye cheeks in the same pot. 2 different textures and taste that are both awesome. I haven't done pike.

- - - Updated - - -

LargeMouth bass are very delicious. grew up eating lots of them... they are very tastey.... we used to catch hundreds of them and beer batter them

;:;barf We kept a handful of bass lots of years ago. We have released every one since.

 

[squirrel92]

I usually do burbot and walleye cheeks in the same pot. 2 different textures and taste that are both awesome. I haven't done pike.

Boiled walleye cheeks eh? Interesting.. I always sautee them in butter and garlic and deep fry the fins shrimp-style. Will have to give boiling them a try.

 

[muskelllunge13]

Ill second the smoked tullibee and whitefish. Goldeyes aren't bad either smoked...my Canuk friends love em. You can buy smoked goldeye in Winnipeg.

You cant legally eat them in Nodak anymore but Sturgeon is also good, way better than paddlefish.