Meat for the Winter

[papaperch]

Meat for the Winter is what my dad used to call catching perch in the fall.
Pulled this limit of 30 out of Lake Milton which is NOT known as a good perch lake. But they don't call me " papaperch for nothing ". Swedish pimples with a dropper hook with 1/2 small worm was deadly. Also what is known locally as a speader with worm on one side and minnow on other was the 2 deadliest systems of day. Fish were bottom hugging in 11.5 feet of water. Water was just a tiche under 50 degrees.

Fish stayed active all day , caught other species like 2 short walleyes , big ol catfish and lots of smaller perch.

Top pic is one from the senior class bottom pic is group photo of limit.

 

[upnort16]

Beautiful catch! Awesome job and some tasty meals in store for you, enjoy!

 

[StumpHunter]

Good report and pics. That is nice size perch! Sounds like a great day of fishing, congrats..

 

[Jig Man]

Very nice... Where's Mr. whiskers???

 

[Fatman]

Can you say YUMMMMMMMMMMYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[hunter7711]

Probably been 40 years since I ate a perch. If I remember right they are close to Walleye in taste?

 

[LedHed]

Nice haul - never had them - looks tasty

 

[ScottV]

I've never seen one of those, or even a walleye, for that matter. That looks like a good catch though. Congrats.

 

[papaperch]

My personal taste for fish flesh are in this order of preference
1. Perch caught ice fishing
2. Perch any other time of year
3. Crappie
4. Walleye - Sauger - Saugeye
5. Bluegill

I don't keep or eat any basses , catfish or any other fish. Personal tastes will always vary greatly but every time I have cooked perch for someone that has not eaten them before, they swear its the best fish they have ever eaten. Here in Ohio the walleye is usually the most sought after fish for the table. But to me if the Good Lord ever made a better tasting fish than the perch he kept it for himself.

My best story about this is when a dyed in the wool bass fisherman went ice fishing with me one day. It had been a long winter and he was bored to tears. When he asked if he could go ice fishing with me it surprised me greatly. He had never been on the ice to do anything before. Anyway I take him to a local perch hotspot at the time. We catch about 40 perch between us and all day I hear. Man these thing are small , they sure don't fight like a bass, you aint gonna fillet these little minnows are you ?
On and on it went. We get home I fillet the catch. Wife makes them with french fried onion rings as a side and a tossed salad.

The following spring he gave up bass fishing and started to fish for " tablefare ". Only took that one meal to convince him. I must point out though. He is a slender guy but can eat a lot and eat often. I have yet to meet an individual that enjoys eating more than my friend Dan.

 

[AtticaFish]

Those perch have some shoulders to them! 60 pieces of fish fill a good size hole in the freezer. Congrats on the catch.

Hard to believe so many have never had a perch sandwich. It is a staple in many resturants around here and often advertised as 'Lake Perch' but is seldom actual yellow perch. Butter, lemon and pepper... hot off the grill... delicious!!!

 

[Radtexan]

Nice haul Papa...We need to call you King Perch !!

 

[CrappieHappy]

Nicely done....

 

[jschmidt]

Yum... perch is my second favorite freshwater fish to walleye.

 

[Hawnjigs]

I'm with the warm water guys - not fortunate enuf to have eating size available. After reading this thread, think I might take the long drive west across the Rockies to get some next year. Hey J in CO, is Harvey Gap fish-able after the draindown?

 

[upnort16]

pappaperch, I agree in the order of fish eating, with the addition of the northern pike in the third spot. Mighty tasty fish to eat and almost always are found eating those delectable perch as well. Unfortunately in my area, five perch limit on the big pond (where the larger ones live) and a few spots to haul them through the ice, but takes a lot to make a meal like yours, hence the pike fillet dinner, supplement. lol.

 

[quivira kid]

NICE haul! I'm thinking a trip north might be in order next year to get on some of them through the ice.

 

[SaltyBuckster]

Nice catch papa.I got some good ones today also.I'll put them up tomorrow as it is too dark right now.

 

[toadfrog]

At least I get to see some fish from you all . It's been 2 - 3 months since I wet a line and no relief in sight . I guess I'll just have to kiss the screen when a fish comes up . Thanks for reminding me what they look like. Great catch wish I was there.

 

[Fatman]

Doc

Dont know what papperch told you on the cleaning, but for me I cut off the head - then take a knife and slide it along the back fin and all the way to the tail both sides. Pull the fin out all the way. Grab a piece of skin and peel it off both sides then clean the guts.

Wash off. After you cook them hold it and pull slowly and all the meat will come right off leaving the skeleton. My wife actually showed me how to clean them this way. I always used to fillet them but it wastes alot of meat.

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