How long will you keep frozen fish for?

[BizzityB]

Hi All!

I was just in the basement pulling some stuff out of my freezer and I found a zip lock with a couple Crappie fillet's in it? It's from January 2011.

When I freeze fish I usually cut it wash it and put it in a zip lock with water and then freeze it if I don't eat it that day.

My question is how long will it last frozen?

Is it still good to eat or should I pass?

Thanks!

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I bet they are still good thats how I store my fish as well and they keep for a good amount of time. Thaw them out and cook 'em up if they taste alright, enjoy.

[reinhard1]

that's just too long as far as i'm concerned. shure when properly frozen and the package doesnt get punctured, and everything is perfect it can still be good. signs of freezer burn will be if the fillets are white or the edges are white. i know you probably lost them in there at some point but it's important to label and date all of your packages [which i see you have done] and make sure to rotate the fish or meat or whatever you have so the oldest goes first. personaly i would toss it. it's just me. been in the buisness so long and seen a lot of this will last forever attempts. like i said you probably lost it in there somewhere along the line, but fish dont last long in my freezer. i have had packages get tossed around as well and have been there myself. good luck.

[BizzityB]

Thanks Turnup...Thats what I would assume I do not see any freezer burn on them I have alos been told that once you thaw them to smell them..If they smell very fishy then they are not good

[BizzityB]

Thanks reinhard...I usually eat my catch the day after. When I go out I like to catch a lot of fish but usually I keep a couple for a nice meal and then they are always fresh. I think I will toss them I just hate waisting a good fillet if they are still good!

[Gillfisher]

My buddy has said they were good stored that way for 2 years.

[BartmanMN]

as long as the ice is still around the fillet's I'd think they are fine. If your ice has evaporated and the fillet's are showing, then they could be bad.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Thanks Turnup...Thats what I would assume I do not see any freezer burn on them I have alos been told that once you thaw them to smell them..If they smell very fishy then they are not good

Yeah thats what I would do, thaw them check them out if they past that test, fry them and give them the taste test. I wouldnt throw them out straight away. Ive dont usually keep fish for more than a few months but know Ive had fish over 6 months old stored this way before.

[Bryce]

There was a thread similar to this not that long ago. Just last week we ate a bag of perch found in the corner of the freezer with a 2008 date on it. Some frost on the inside of the bag but none had reached the fillets because of the water. Tasted as good as the day they were caught. Think that's kind of pushing it to the extreme but does show what is possible. One step I add is to soak the fillets in a water filled bowl overnight in the fridge and one final rinse before freezing. Have been doing this for years and have probably thrown out one meal. I think the bag developed a hole in the freezing process and the frost destroyed it. Nice to have the freezer as full as the law allows and enjoy an occassional meal during the summer when I have no time for fishing.

[KrabbyPatties]

If I had frozen fish in water and did not see signs of freezer burn, I'd eat them after a year without question. They're fine.

[paceman]

Yep I've eaten fish that were as old as 2 years. Tasted just fine.

[DonBo]

If I had frozen fish in water and did not see signs of freezer burn, I'd eat them after a year without question. They're fine.

Yep, what he said.

I wouldn't keep them that long on purpose, but I sure wouldn't be afraid to eat what you got there.

[BizzityB]

Great news! Thanks for the info! I have them thawing in the fridge as we speak and will do a final check when I get home for any signs of burn but all of the fillets were still frozen in the water and no ends were exposed.

[Maverick]

It depends on the type of fish. Crappies, sunnies and perch are good for a long time. Walleyes don't seem to hold up as well. I eat the walleyes within a couple of months, but I have eaten crappies that were well over a year and they were great.

I was never a big fan of putting them in water and then freezing them until I just pulled a bag out that I'm sure was a year old. Had them next to some fresh ones and I couldn't tell the difference. They were crappies and sunnies.

[Desperado]

When I freeze fish, I keep them frozen until I thaw them.

(sorry, couldn't resist; it's been a long day at the office)

[c0untryf1sh3r]

When I freeze fish, I keep them frozen until I thaw them.

(sorry, couldn't resist; it's been a long day at the office)

Good one

[Day Dreamer]

The thing to remember is, these frozen fish are in your posession and need to be counted towards your limits. So I eat them as soon as I can.

[BobT]

Why discard them simply due to age? About the worse that can happen is they have become freezer burned and will taste bad. If they're not freezer burned, chances are they'll taste just fine.

[reinhard1]

as i stated it's my personal prefrence. i have "lost" a pack of fish fillets in the past here and there. everyone does that from time to time unless you realy keep things organized in the freezer. i dont go fishing to save up packs of fillets to have at the end of the year. the fish i catch and keep are eaten fresh most of the time or soon after.

the wrapping, freezing in water, vacume seal or any other method is only good if the packaging method holds through time. you could also ask why keep anything in your freezer for a long period of time risking freezer burn. you could eat the burn't part but it would surely not be the best thing on the plate. by that time you would have to discard it anyway.

my freezer used to be a big mess most of the time. the longer i was in the food buisness the more orginized it got. dividers for the most part and an area for turkeys and deer trim bags and bulkier items. the big chest freezer is for beef, pork, chicken, boxed items, sausage, and what i mentioned above.

as for fish fillets or trout, well they go into the freezer section of my fridge. very seldom do i have fish in there. they get eaten fast. even the fish patties i make are seldom frozen. other than that i pickle some as well and those dont last long either.

being in the food buisness for over 35 years i have learned to take great care of food. it's just not for me, but for my family as well. i'm sure everyone else takes care as well for the most part.

it's about how it's stored, how long it's stored, does your freezer run at 0 or below zero, and are any packages damaged over time ect. in the end, it's personal preferance which is the case with me. good luck.

[marshmallow]

As I Put The Fillets In Freezer Bag .. I Roll Out The Air .. So It's Just Fillets And Water .. I Too Have a Couple Bags Of Fish From Earlier 2000's .. Nahh .. About A Year .. They Are Fine .. Maybe Gobble Them Up For Super Bowl .. When Giants Gobble Up The Points On The Scoreboard ..

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Even if the fillets are freezer burned they are still ok to eat.

Best way would be to make fish cakes out of them. The extra spices and onions will cover up any burnt taste!

Cliff

[KrabbyPatties]

Good call! I get together with friends and fry up a bunch of fish fillets for the Superbowl each year. It's a hoot!

And, if the fish ARE bad, the beer will kill whatever is wrong with them.