Guts and Stuff?

Michael J. · 07-19-2001, 07:51 AM

I landed a hatchery summer steelie last night (my first one) - and I really don't know where I should clean the fish. I believe I've read it's illegal to clean fish within a certan number of feet of Oregon lakes and rivers, but I've also heard it's good to put the guts back into the river because they contain valuable nutrients.
What the heck should I do - I cleaned the fish by the river last night - but I really didn't know if that was an appropriate place. Also, could someone please describe in detail how to bleed a fish - I'm clueless? Thank you. MJ

ampersat · 07-19-2001, 08:15 AM

congratulations on the fish! i hope it fought well. take it from me: it could be a while before you see another one.

to the best of my knowledge, it is illegal for fisherman to dump the guts and whatnot from a fish into the river. i carry spare bags for guts and eggs, and take the guts to the nearest trash can. i think the impetus behind it is to keep the boat ramp areas from becoming stinky carcass wastelands. last year odfw started planting carcasses from their hatchery takes into selected areas of the rivers to return nutrients to the water.

as for bleeding fish, here's what i do. once you've whacked the fish into submission, open its mouth and cut through the upper and lower spines that support the gills. they run down the middle of the top and bottom of the mouth. watch your fingers! the blood you see running out of the fish may be your own if you're not careful. i've also heard of cutting behind the head from the top and straight up from under the mouth. i tried the under the mouth trick and it didn't work as well as cutting the gills. anyway, once i've made my cuts, it'll tie a piece of rope around the head and put the fish in a spot in the river with some current to it. the flowing water keeps the blood from coagulating and closing the wound. it also helps keep the fish cool until i'm ready to head home.

OR Coast Range · 07-19-2001, 08:31 AM

Sounds good ampersat. But when you leave your fish in the current, make sure that you watch out for those crawdads. They'll tear your fish apart if they can get at it!

Drachir · 07-19-2001, 04:58 PM

I agree, cutting the gills is the best for bleeding your fish. It is especially important to bleed your Sturgeon. The meat won't absorb any of the blood after you bleed it properly. It makes for much better flavor, and w/ Sturgeon the bloodless filets are out of this world off the BBQ! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

fishbait · 07-20-2001, 01:35 PM

I have switched from sticking the heart to just cutting the gills. When you stick the heart, if you are not careful you can cut the parietineuim and get blood into the body cavity and the eggs. S0, I go in fron the back under the gill plate and just cut down into the gills or under the gills and cut out to the gilplate. Dont worry about cutting them all, just get one or two. The gills are a direct line from the heart and the fish will pump out. Dont need to put the fish in the water if you don't want, anadranmous fish have poor clotting ability. I usually use a knife but scissors work better. Oh, mabey I'm cruel but I don't bonk the fish unless I absolutely have to, just let it bleed out. As for the guts, whenever I can I return them to the river in such a manner that they wont be seen or smelled. I consider it fish food in one form or another. my 0.02 worth.

fishbait · 07-20-2001, 01:40 PM

One other comment for you to consider. There are lots of times where I don't clean my fish till I get home. (I have a cleaning area at home) Make a judgement call, temperature, time left fishing, time to home , etc. The reason for this is that the fish comes in a steril wrapper, once I clean it I open it up to bacteria and contimanation. Granted this is not a major issue, but remembger that same water that you would not dring without treating it is the same water youa re exposing you raw meet to. Let see 0.02 + 0.02 that makes it 4 cents worth...... Wish I was as funny as big stew and ****** or as talented.............Steve

[ 07-20-2001: Message edited by: fishbait ]

Bait O' Eggs · 07-20-2001, 01:59 PM

Well at least the fish gets cleaned when you get home [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

fishbait · 07-20-2001, 03:06 PM

ooooooo, The big guy speaks.....All I have to say is that I have fish to clean.......as opposed to some people that I know.......

07-20-2001, 03:19 PM

Stew is my Heroboro. Great scoop Fishbait. Roy, where you been? Git' offa' that warm water board. ALL our water is warm right now. LOL.

Killertraylor · 07-20-2001, 11:22 PM

I stab them in the chest where the heart is and then stick my knife in just ahead of the collar and behind the gill plate and slice some gills too. If that heart is still pumpin you get an occasional squirter! MMMMMMM FISH BLOOD!!! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] I do the same for sturgeon.

MasterCaster · 07-20-2001, 11:34 PM

I clean almost all my fish right where I catch them. However I never leave guts or anything just laying around on the bank or shallow water. I always throw then into deep moving water for the smolt and other fish to feed on. If I take a fish that would otherwise feed the other fish then why not throw the stuff I dont want back in?

As for bleeding I cut the tail. Dont cut it off but cut from the bottom up just until you hit the back bone and it starts to bleed well. If it doesnt start bleeding real well I will also cut the gills but I have found that they bleed out better from the tail end. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]