Warm water walleyes

[snow2]

With water temps in the mid 70's seems most walleyes are deep lately,however we managed to stick a few we located amongst the white bass,sheephead etc pitching jigs in flooded trees,nothing huge but good eaters's 16-19"s...Some of our catch had hitch hikers....

 

[Slappy]

There are many ND lakes where most walleyes have small leaches in their mouths like that.

 

[Dirty]

Warm water walleyes taste different, that’s for sure.

 

[Kentucky Windage]

Warm water walleyes taste different, that’s for sure.

agreed. Not a good different either IMO.

 

[snow2]

Agreed mid summer walleyes coming out of bath water=not so good but still fun catching.

These critters in this walleyes mouth are not leeches,rather blood suckers,nasty little critters,can latch on quick.

 

[SDMF]

Caught some beauties on Sat basically “ice-fishing” weed edges in 10’-14’. Creep along w/bow-mount until I marked fish then drop a jig on their head. Couldn’t replicate on Sunday though. ??????

 

[sl1000794]

agreed. Not a good different either IMO.

Give them a 1+ hour soak in a weak salt/white vinegar/lemon juice brine: 2 quarts cold water, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar and juice of half lemon. I use this on northerns also - gets the grassy/muddy taste out!

 

[Jiffy]

I don't soak them in anything but tap water for a couple days. Change the water a few times a day and they come out snow white and firm as a cold water fish. I can't tell the difference.

 

[tikkalover]

Right after you catch them, bleed them, then put them on ice. After cleaning them, put them into salt water over night in the fridge. Rinse them off before freezing.

 

[undguy]

Right after you catch them, bleed them, then put them on ice. After cleaning them, put them into salt water over night in the fridge. Rinse them off before freezing.

I do the above except for the saltwater soak and they taste great.

 

[Kentucky Windage]

I’ll try the above suggestions. My history has been keeping them alive up to the point of bleeding them out. I’ve also never heard of the salt bath either.

 

[Slappy]

Never had bad flavor with warm water eyes but they don't unzip as nicely as cold flesh. I always bleed and never soak.

 

[Dirty]

Don't get me wrong...walleyes out of warm water aren't inedible, just not quite as good IMO. I'm a little finicky with my seafood in general.

 

[wslayer]

Bleed, about 3 hr cold water soak. Much longer than that I think the fillets absorb too much water. Just my method

 

[sl1000794]

Bleed, about 3 hr cold water soak. Much longer than that I think the fillets absorb too much water. Just my method

Not sure how a fish could absorb too much water when it is SATURATED with the Lake water it has lived in it's whole life!

 

[Slappy]

Not sure how a fish could absorb too much water when it is SATURATED with the Lake water it has lived in it's whole life!

By that logic deer meat wouldn't change if left exposed to air. Water absolutely changes fish flesh, which is why I rinse and dry as soon as practical and don't soak.

 

[zoops]

Not sure how a fish could absorb too much water when it is SATURATED with the Lake water it has lived in it's whole life!

So when you cut open a walleye does water come gushing out?

 

[snow2]

soaking in milk over night,also 7-up really makes a difference in warm water walleyes firms the meat,less mushy pan fried.