Not only are fish fun to catch, but they are an excellent option for a healthy and delicious meal as well. But, because there are so many different kinds of fish out there, it might be a little tough to decide where to start when it comes to the best table fare. Depending on your physical location, you might also be limited in choices as well. Here is a list of our picks of some of the best tasting freshwater fish found in the United States and Canada, and some of these are sure to be found near you!
Trout
When it comes to freshwater fish, there are few species more popular than trout. And not only are trout fun to catch, but they also taste great too! When it comes to preparing and eating trout, the fresher they are the better. There are a few different types of trout, all found throughout various streams, lakes, and rivers. Some of them include:
- Brown trout
- Brook trout
- Rainbow trout
- Cutthroat trout
When cleaning a trout, make sure the meat has an orange or pinkish color. Bigger trout are usually better served by cutting them into smaller pieces for frying, while others enjoy filleting a fish whole. No matter how you prepare them, trout are great eating!
Check out Bradley’s smoked trout recipe
Catfish
Catfish are found throughout the entire world, and as such is a common food source for many different countries and cultures. Here in the United States and Canada, catfish are eaten as well and there are even catfish farms that grow and sell catfish for food.
Checkout here our article with an Introduction to Catching a Catfish
When you go to clean a catfish, you will notice that their meat is not as white as most other freshwater fish and that there is a small yellowish hue to it. This meat is excellent when it is fried, and this is one of the most popular ways to prepare it. They can also be smoked and baked, just be sure to properly season them!
Crappie
Crappie is considered some of the best tasting freshwater fish around. They have white and flaky meat that is very sweet and makes a perfect fillet. There are hundreds of different recipes for crappie, and each one is delicious. You can fry, bake, smoke, or grill these fish. Crappie are such a sought-after food fish that the large fish are often referred to as “slabs” that can then be thrown straight into an oven.
And another great article you can check out is the Crappie Fishing – the best baits, lures, tips and tricks
Bluegill
Many anglers are familiar with bluegill, and how they are generally easy to catch. (Don’t you know? Check here our article Bluegill fishing: where to find and the best Baits) Many don’t realize, however, that they make for a great meal as well. Found throughout many different waters all across the continent, you can usually catch a few bluegills with minimal trouble which is all you need to prepare an excellent meal. Bluegills have flaky, white meat that has a good taste, which is made even better when seasoned and carefully cooked.
Final Thoughts
No matter where you live, chances are there are some freshwater fish near you that can provide you with not only a healthy meal but a delicious one too! Recipes for freshwater fish species are plentiful, and no two fish will taste the same. If you have been looking to try a new recipe, you might want to grab a fishing pole and hit the water!
