Fishing is a great way to have some fun in the summer while camping, or just on a day trip to a lake or river. Many people enjoy the catch and release aspect of the sport, although some like to fish for food. The method for cleaning and preparing your catch is relatively simple. If you aren’t sure how to do it, here are some simple steps on how to clean and prepare fish at camp!
Cleaning
Start by placing your fish on a table or steady surface. Have a bucket of water near your table for use in cleanup throughout the process. If catching and preparing fresh-caught fish is something you intend to do regularly when you’re camping, you may want to invest in a set of knives that are specifically made for this purpose. Keep these knives clean and maintenanced, and store them in a pouch where they will be out of the way of small hands and free from dirt.
1. Remove scales
Once you have your knives out and ready to work with, rinse off the fish with water from the bucket. Place it on your table and take out your scaling knife. If you don’t own a scaling knife, a spoon will also work. Scrape the scales off by rubbing your knife or spoon against the grain of the scales. Collect these scales in a trash bag or other receptacle to keep them from littering your campsite.
2. Remove skin
Rinse the fish again, and then take out your skinning knife and insert it underneath the skin. Hold it parallel to the body to keep it from cutting into the meat. Carefully move along the body to remove the skin quickly and easily, and discard along with the scales. Note: if you like to cook your fish with the skin on, disregard this step.
3. Remove innards
After another rinse, take out a sharp knife and carefully insert the knife below the gills. Cut off the head and throw it away. Make sure the fish bleeds out completely, and then insert the knife just underneath the neck on the belly. Cut down the length of the body to open it up. Take out the organs and entrails and throw them away. Wash the body again with water to get rid of any entrails, membranes and particles that may have clung to the body. Dry it with a paper towel.
Preparing
At this point you are ready to prepare and cook the fish, which is a process that will be entirely up to your personal taste. You can cut the meat into sections, season it, or marinate it in citrus juices. Cooking the fish can be done on a grill, or wrapped into a packet of aluminum foil to place over the coals for a campfire bake. Whatever way you choose to enjoy the fish, you can be doubly satisfied that you know exactly where it came from, and how it got to your plate!
That’s how to clean and prepare fish at camp, you might also like: How to Cook Fresh Fish Over a Campfire!
Featured Image from Drew Farwell/Unsplash
