Northern Pike - Connecticut River Specifically
Oct 9, 2020 11:33:57 #
HI
Harry from Amherst NH here. Last week I was fishing the Connecticut River, the Brattleboro Vermont Area, and I caught a this really big fish - like 26 inches long. It kinda looked like a pickerel but not exactly, but it did put a really good fight so it was a fun fish to catch. Not knowing anything about what this Damn Yankee fish was, or if it was even edible, I let it go. When I got home, I searched the State of New Hampshire website for the list of fresh water fish and determined that I had caught a Northern Pike. A further search said that they were very bony, but they were very good to eat. I read the same thing about Pickerel too. So, my question to you lads who are reading this boring monolog is "Do any of you have any culinary experience with northern pike"? If so, how do you filet and prepare them. Thank you, and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Harry from Amherst NH.
Harry from Amherst NH here. Last week I was fishing the Connecticut River, the Brattleboro Vermont Area, and I caught a this really big fish - like 26 inches long. It kinda looked like a pickerel but not exactly, but it did put a really good fight so it was a fun fish to catch. Not knowing anything about what this Damn Yankee fish was, or if it was even edible, I let it go. When I got home, I searched the State of New Hampshire website for the list of fresh water fish and determined that I had caught a Northern Pike. A further search said that they were very bony, but they were very good to eat. I read the same thing about Pickerel too. So, my question to you lads who are reading this boring monolog is "Do any of you have any culinary experience with northern pike"? If so, how do you filet and prepare them. Thank you, and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Harry from Amherst NH.
Oct 9, 2020 11:38:05 #
They are very good.
However there is a specific technique to fillet them
The procedure yields 7 boneless pieces I believe . I don’t recall the exact process
Google cleaning pike.
However there is a specific technique to fillet them
The procedure yields 7 boneless pieces I believe . I don’t recall the exact process
Google cleaning pike.
Oct 9, 2020 11:40:08 #
Thank you Ben. Based on your reply, the next one that I catch may end up on the table.
Oct 9, 2020 12:20:26 #
HarryNH wrote:
HI br br Harry from Amherst NH here. Last week I ... (show quote)
Good luck Harry, but make sure that it's long enough. Our minimum is 26in. in CT.
Oct 9, 2020 12:37:26 #
Hi Fred
Thanks for the reply, and the information. I really didn't consider the length, nor did I know what it was so I just checked the NH Regulations. The minimum length for a Northern Pike in NH is 28 inches, so I did the right thing by letting it go regardless of if it is good to eat or not. As the cop said when he pulled me gave me a really big ticket "Ignorance of the law is no excuse young man." That was a long time ago, but still rings true today.
Thanks for the reply, and the information. I really didn't consider the length, nor did I know what it was so I just checked the NH Regulations. The minimum length for a Northern Pike in NH is 28 inches, so I did the right thing by letting it go regardless of if it is good to eat or not. As the cop said when he pulled me gave me a really big ticket "Ignorance of the law is no excuse young man." That was a long time ago, but still rings true today.
Oct 9, 2020 12:39:47 #
Rayz
Loc: North West N.J. and South Hero Vt.
Fillet by laying on stomach. Looking down on fish cut down behind head to back bone. Turn blade and cut along top of spine to tail. Basically you are taking off top of fish. You should now see rib bones. Cut outside of each side of rib bones to get two more fillets. They are delicious.
Oct 9, 2020 12:58:18 #
Oct 9, 2020 16:58:11 #
HarryNH wrote:
Thank you Ray.
Well,,,,,,,,,,,, Harry you did the right thing, released him. I call them "slim dogs", they stink, they are slimmy. I will not let them in my boat. You cut the line! I won't even let my grand kids keep them. and they do like to catch them, but they don't come in the boat. Never have, never will.
Oct 9, 2020 17:09:42 #
I scooped him up in a net and put him in the boat. I had no idea what he; you live and you learn. However, he is the biggest fish I have caught to date.
Oct 9, 2020 17:24:39 #
HarryNH wrote:
I scooped him up in a net and put him in the boat. I had no idea what he; you live and you learn. However, he is the biggest fish I have caught to date.
They grow a lot bigger than that, our state record is 29lbs, from 1980. But we had a girl,kayak fishing,just a couple weeks ago, came within a half pound as I recall. That's up in the 48in range.
Oct 9, 2020 18:58:00 #
That would be epic. When I told some of my friends, they all said Oh that was a baby. I guess they were right.
Oct 9, 2020 19:44:40 #
HarryNH wrote:
That would be epic. When I told some of my friends, they all said Oh that was a baby. I guess they were right.
If you go hunting big ones be careful, they will tear up your gear, and you if you give them a chance.
Oct 9, 2020 19:50:18 #
That was the first pike I caught in the Connecticut. I know they are out there, but I haven't figures out how to target them specifically. So, I only catch one when they are stupid enough to bite my lure. Kinda like picking up the last drunk chick in a bar after a gig on Saturday night - it's a mercy thing.
Oct 9, 2020 20:41:52 #
HarryNH wrote:
That was the first pike I caught in the Connecticut. I know they are out there, but I haven't figures out how to target them specifically. So, I only catch one when they are stupid enough to bite my lure. Kinda like picking up the last drunk chick in a bar after a gig on Saturday night - it's a mercy thing.
Down here in the river they usually hang around the coves and creek mouths that empty into it. I rarely fish FOR them, but catch my share by accident in many lakes around the state. I've never fished the freshwater part of the river but have seen the D.E.E.P. reports, and in the river, sheltered water is the place to go. Tight Lines.
Oct 9, 2020 21:57:46 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.