What to Do with Fishy: Just caught a catfish but it's late so I just shoved him live in the refrigerator. I want to clean and dress it tomorrow for my first time. What I wanna know is...

FS Digest

Just caught a catfish but it's late so I just shoved him live in the refrigerator. I want to clean and dress it tomorrow for my first time. What I wanna know is, is it cool to keep the fish in the refrigerator? Will he survive the day in the refrigerator? Will he still be good to eat?

--
by enkwiringmindz

FS Digest

Well to be honest he definitely suffered. He’ll be good to eat but next time all you gotta do is throw him hard at the ground or give him a good hit on the head. Don’t let fish suffer.

--
by Legendary__Beaver

FS Digest

Thank you, yes I feel bad and regret letting it suffer. Will be better prepared next time.

--
by enkwiringmindz

FS Digest

Umm... not really the best move to be honest.

No, a fish won’t survive in the fridge, they’ll die within minutes of being left out of the water.

It should be alright being left in the fridge with its guts overnight, but you really wanna clean them fast if it’s not packed in ice

--
by saampinaali

FS Digest

Just keep it in a bucket or icechest with water and a lid

--
by Murdermuffinn

FS Digest

On ice, I would say 24-48 hours max, but in the fridge? I dunno... most fridges are set to around 40° and I'm not sure that's cold enough to keep it safe let alone fresh.

The old school adage was that if the gills are white and/or the eyes are clouded over, don't eat it. Personally, after overnight in the fridge, I wouldn't risk it... though you might as well at least use it to practice cleaning, maybe even for cut bait.

--
by Racklefrack

FS Digest

Catfish are notoriously hardy. You're most likely fine. Next time just stick something sharp through it's brain so it's not slowly dying of asphyxiation in your fridge

--
by sam-rk

Brianfishin Loc: Chesapeake VA

It will probably survive overnight if you put a wet towel on it. Lakes get below 40* every year.

FinFisherman Loc: Born in Ohio - 40 yrs Florida- Clearwater,Fl

FS Digest wrote:

Just caught a catfish but it's late so I just shoved him live in the refrigerator. I want to clean and dress it tomorrow for my first time. What I wanna know is, is it cool to keep the fish in the refrigerator? Will he survive the day in the refrigerator? Will he still be good to eat?

--
by enkwiringmindz

I would suggest next time and it's the only fish either let it go or gut it. Not a good idea to keep a fish like that whole in the refigerator.

Jeremy Loc: America

FinFisherman wrote:

I would suggest next time and it's the only fish either let it go or gut it. Not a good idea to keep a fish like that whole in the refigerator.

If your Married or have a girlfriend. It will be fine as far as meat quality. You might get kicked out though. Ice is better. The problem is stomach acid after it dies and blood in it ruining meat. Overnight is ok. I leave them on ICE until morning if get them after dark with absolutely no problems.

EastCoast

FS Digest wrote:

Just caught a catfish but it's late so I just shoved him live in the refrigerator....

If you are going to put a live fish in your refrigerator, I recommend getting in with it. Then you can watch to see how long it will suffer... KWIM? Hopefully it will still be safe and make a pleasant meal for you and your lady.
.

fast_randy Loc: Blackfoot, Idaho

FS Digest wrote:

Just caught a catfish but it's late so I just shoved him live in the refrigerator. I want to clean and dress it tomorrow for my first time. What I wanna know is, is it cool to keep the fish in the refrigerator? Will he survive the day in the refrigerator? Will he still be good to eat?

--
by enkwiringmindz

I doubt if it will live in the fridge. Catfish are hardy though. How big is it? Most people only gut the tiny ones. If it is 2 pounds or bigger, you just fellet them without gutting. When you get good at it, it only takes 1 minute to do one catfish. No need to wait until you have more time.

tony hopp

I think you will have to get rid of every thing else in the frig.

jimbofisherman Loc: Edgewater Florida

WBA’s eat the MFer it’s a catfish Da🤪

ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.

jimbofisherman wrote:

WBA’s eat the MFer it’s a catfish Da🤪

I agree