Cleaning a Walleye (Help!)

BassCat73

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Sep 30, 2004
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Went Walleye fishing this evening. Caught a 17", 19" and 20". I generally fish for Bass, so I don't know much about this species, but I do know that they taste good!! So, I brought the 20" fish home with meto filet and put on the grill. The fish is swimming in the livewell right now, very much alive and feisty. What's the best way to put the fish ut of it's misery before cleaning it??
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Mar 25, 2001
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Re: Cleaning a Walleye (Help!)

Give it a good crack between the eyes, BC.
 

imported_JD__

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Jun 13, 2003
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Re: Cleaning a Walleye (Help!)

If you're not very familiar with the specie, watch out for the gill plates. They are bony and sharp. I learned the hard way and have a scar on my finger to prove it. Actually 3 scars from 3 different incidents. I'm a slow learner.
 

BassCat73

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Sep 30, 2004
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Re: Cleaning a Walleye (Help!)

Thanks JB. That's exactly what I decided to do last night. Now, becoming an expert in filleting the fish is whole 'nother story, but I think I did pretty well. I heard the meat in the cheeks is the best part of the fish. I'll find out tonight. Oh, JD, thanks for the tip. I fish for Musky often and I know all about those sharp gill plates!!! :)
 

chugger

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Jul 5, 2005
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Re: Cleaning a Walleye (Help!)

Sounds like you've already cleaned the fish but I'd like to share my method anyway. I hope you don't mind.<br /><br />To kill the fish I take the head off with a quick cut through the backbone. To filet I take off all the fins then starting at the head end I make a slit throught the skin along the back. Then I make repeated cuts along backbone starting at the head end to seperate the meat from the rib cage. Flip the fish over and do the other side.<br /><br />If I'm pan frying or baking the fish I'll leave the skin on. If I'm deep frying I'll grap the filet from the tail end, place the knife at about a 30 degree angle between the skin and meat and work it towards the head end/
 
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