Bowfin fish are also called dogfish and mudfish by the locals in North America. They are mostly found in the slow backwaters of the rivers in the continent. These fish are lazy and choose to stay in the backwaters because there is no strong current in there. This article contains all the information about can you eat bowfin fish.
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Can you eat bowfin fish?
They usually rest on the deposit of the river, and so they are called mudfish. They have sharp teeth and an elongated body which offers them enormous power. Most bass anglers won’t consider catching this fish because they are mostly lazy.
But if a bowfin fish took your bait, it won’t go down without giving a fair fight. There are known for their hook-bending strength. They weigh from 8 to 10 pounds which, when combined with their long tail, is a deadly combination for anglers. Bowfin fish is one of the few fish species that can swim backward.
We have seen the characteristics of the bowfin fish. But can you eat bowfin fish? Are they edible, and are they safe to eat? We will answer that question in this article.
Is Bowfin Fish Edible?
The answer to this question is – Yes, bowfin fish are edible. But the real question is whether you should eat them or not. It is not ideal for eating whatever just because they are edible. If you find yourself in a situation where you ran out of food, you can catch bowfin fish, cook, and eat them. But if you are going out of your way to find and eat a bowfin fish, you should give it a second thought.
They are called dogfish and mudfish by the locals. But they do have another popular name called trash fish. They are called trash fish for a reason. This is because they taste really poor. People who have eaten it often describe it as jelly-like flesh with really poor texture. They are also grey.
They taste very fishy, and the texture is not very likable for fish meat. Most people who are in North America won’t eat them because of this. They are hunted for sports and used as bait for larger fish and alligators. Yes, they are used as bait to lure alligators.
What Should You Know About Bowfin Fish Before Eating Them?
There are several things you should know before having a bowfin fish for your lunch. The first thing you should know is that they have a higher level of mercury and toxins in them. Every fish that is on top of their food chain will have higher levels of toxins and mercury in them, and bowfin fish is no exception.
Like bass and jackfish, bowfin fish has toxins that can be harmful to human beings. The larger the fish, the higher the amount of toxin in their body. So a proper cooking procedure is needed before having them.
Their guts or organs in their stomach should be removed before cooking. Any fish larger than 7 centimeters should have their gut removed before cooking. This is because they carry bacteria and parasites in them. Fish’s stomach is the best place for these parasites to live in. Removing them reduces the risk of getting a parasitical infection.
If you are eating bowfin fish, make sure you eat them when they are hot because they taste much better then. And fry them within 24 hours after their death because their flesh becomes mushy after a while. It is best to have them in the water alive until they are cooked. Here is all you need to know about can you eat bowfin fish.
