A Muskie fish, otherwise known as Muskellunge belongs to a species of fish that reside in the freshwater. Muskies can be found in large bodies of water such as lakes and riverbeds in the continent of North America. These types of fish can consume other fishes that are almost 30 percent of their own body size. The simple answer to the question regarding the consumption of Muskie is yes. Of course you can. The caveat of this answer is that you need to know some things before you can eat a Muskie. Read below to find out Can You Eat Muskie?
These sleek looking and elongated species of fish can often taste delicious to some people. Some Muskies can weigh as much as 36 pounds while smaller ones weigh around 20 pounds. The largest Muskies can weigh a whopping 70 pounds! Being one of the top predators in lakes, a Muskie can be toxic to humans. This is because Muskies consume other toxic fish in the rivers, and retain the toxins long after their consumption. It also unsafe for consumption if you are a child under the age of 15 or pregnant. The mercury level inside a Muskie can be excessively high and unsafe for consumption.
Some people often advice to catch and release a Muskie, but it is difficult to catch such a large fish. Thus, many people tend to catch and keep these beautiful animals. It’s a fisherman’s dream to catch such a large freshwater fish, and people get impressed by the sheer size of the Muskie. If you decide to eat a Muskie, you need to take into account several factors before your decision.
Can you Eat Muskie?
Before you think about eating a Muskie fish, ask yourself this question: should you eat a Muskie? Eating a Muskie will come at a hefty price. For starters, catching a Muskie requires a permit from the government. You will also require to meet special requirements in order to harvest and keep this fish. Failure to adhere to these regulations will result in fines.
Most lakes also regulate the amount of catches that you are allowed in a single season. Although it helps to keep the population of the Muskie at healthy levels, it becomes more difficult on your end. So, it is fairly difficult to catch a Muskie by adhering to all these rules.
The Muskie is a deadly predator that would eat anything and everything. Some Muskies are also known to eat rats, so you should also keep this information in mind. Besides the obvious presence of Mercury, the bones of a Muskie are very thick which is susceptible to pollution. Thus, you need to ensure that your catches are done in a clean and pollution free lake.
Even if you clean the Muskie thoroughly, if it polluted, chances are that you will get sick after consuming it. Another reason behind some people staying away from Muskie is that it has a very strong and unbearable odor. The thick stench from a Muskie will cause you to have difficulty in keeping the fish, let alone eating it. Even after all these hurdles, if you are still a fan of Muskie, then go ahead.
How to Catch a Muskie
A Musky is very slimy and slippery, so you have to use the right bait in order to catch it. You also have to be in the right place at the right time. Keep in mind that it is easier to catch them in cold waters. Lakes and freshwater locations in cooler states will offer the best places for catching a Muskie. When you are picking a bait for the Muskie, choose something that is in contrast to the water source.
Go for clearer waters, as Muskies prefer to swim through them. If the lake is murky, pick a brightly colored bait. If the lake is clear, pick a dull colored bait. Muskies are known to jerk their bait and ram into the boats, so keep your hand firmly in the boat. You should also be prepared with all the right equipment in order to catch a Muskie. It is often better to be overly prepared as Muskies can grow up to the size of a small child.
Cleaning and Eating the Muskie
Even if you catch Muskie under clear waters, you have to perform a lot of cleaning just to be safe. A filet knife can help you to clean the Muskie in an efficient manner.
The skin of the Muskie should also be removed before you are ready to cook it. Once you remove the thick bones of this fish, you are ready to cook it. You can either grill the Muskie or simply bake it.
Use butter to add flavor to it, and pan-frying the Muskie will make it more delicious. Be prepared to use a lot of seasoning and most fishermen agree that the Muskie is bland without it. Seasonings such as garlic and lemon pepper helps to add more flavor to it.
Popular Muskie recipe [Bonus]
Below is a popular Muskie recipe that people love to dine upon:
Pan Roasted Muskie with Bacon
Everything tastes better with bacon! And in this case, it’s the Muskie. At first, use a large pan over medium heat and cook the diced fillets of Muskie over bacon fat. Then add tomatoes to it and cook for 5 minutes. When the tomatoes become soft, add bacon and then stir it thoroughly. Prepare your oven and set it 375 degrees. Once you finish adding salt and other seasoning on your dish, keep it in the oven for 15 minutes. Don’t make the fish dry, but cook it thoroughly inside the oven. Ingredients for this dish:
- Two fillets of Muskie, weighing approximately 2 pounds each
- Pepper and Salt
- 1 whole tomato
- Half a pound of bacon
- 2 cloves of garlic that is minced
Although the mere thought of catching a Muskie can be an exciting ordeal, most people don’t prefer eating it. Muskie is a highly regulated species of fish that is often hard to catch. Thus, most people shy away from this fish. As long as you are totally aware of all the risks involved in eating a Muskie, eating it is fine. If you can cook it properly, you will find yourself liking this fish for sure.
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