Parasites: or, why I don't eat walleye like sushi

[TylerS]

I've known fish carry parasites for as long as I can remember. The first time likely happened when I was filleting a sunny and it was filled with those little black dots.

We still ate them, of course, as dad said they didn't hurt people, especially when the meat was cooked.

Fast forward to today, and I don't think twice about eating raw tuna at a local sushi joint. This is despite government regulated warnings plastered on menus touting the dangers of eating raw/undercooked fish.

In that same breath, I've come to realize (maybe too late) that parasites aren't limited to panfish. This might seem obvious to most people, but I guess I put other more sought-after fish, like the ubiquitous walleye, as "cleaner."

Boy, have my eyes been opened.

I've been fortunate enough to bring home a few meals of eyes this spring from Ottertail/Detroit Lakes area bodies of waters. I mention that only for reference, however, as I'm sure what I've been seeing is not limited to these areas.

Nearly every walleye I've filleted has been infested with parasites; not necessarily in the meat, per se, but in other areas.

For starters (and maybe now that I've noticed them, they're easier to spot) all or most have had tapeworms, or at least what I perceive to be tapeworms. Many of the walleyes have been trailing worms out of their vents when caught. Other times, after filleting and nicking the guts, the little white strings of moving, crawling worms have eked out and writhed on the cutting born.

Unappetizing, to say the least.

I've also noted some round worms or flukes that have come out of the gills of a couple fish. These are only about 3/4 to an inch in length, are semi transparent, and pointed at both ends.

Even though they were not nearly as noticeable at first as the tapeworms, they still can warrant a healthy dose of the heeby-jeebies.

Anyway, I've often wondered if raw walleyes would be as good as that delicately sliced tuna at the sushi bar.

Now, however, I'm beginning to rethink the whole raw fish thing altogether...

[reinhard1]

i've had sushi overseas and in resturants here at times. but i dont eat raw fish at home. i have seen tapeworms in crappies but never in walleys. i honestly have never seen [or noticed, maby missed it] black spots or any other creature on a walley. still wouln't eat them raw. maby it's just what body of water they are in.

one lake i fish for example those little black spots [parasites] apear on smallies and gills but not on the pike or crappies or trout. in other lakes i see the black spots just on pike but not on other fish in the same lake. just my observance over the years. those black spots dont bother me. just make sure the fish is cooked completly. freezing fish kills most common parasites, but have to be frozen for more than 3 days in temps of 0 or less. good luck.

[Slabasaurus]

I love sushi. It's my second favorite food group (slightly behind tacos). Yes. Tacos and sushi are food groups.

You will never, ever convince me to stop eating it.

That said, you will never, ever see me consume raw fish that I caught... much less any fish that isn't sushi grade... Parasites are nasty, nasty things.

[TruthWalleyes]

Beef and pork are the two things i will eat super rare and not feel bad about it...Yeah i know, pork not recommended...But they taste so darn good!

Not a sushi fan, though haven't had but a few nibbles so maybe i'm missing out on something.

I've seen lots of things growing on walleyes. I generally only keep, and seldomly do, fish 14"-19". I haven't seen anything suspicious on those sized fish yet, at least the few that made it to the cutting board.

Slab - Taco's are a food pyramid!

[genegodawa]

NEVER EVER eat raw fish of any kind caught from any lake.

If you ever get to see a video of someone who caught the parasite/worms from doing so, you would never, ever eat raw/uncooked fish ('cept maybe at a Sushi restaurant)--unless maybe you are lost at sea on a desserted island and need to eat them raw just to survive.

[Craigums]

How many sushi fish are freshwater fish? Food for though.....

[sled59]

Speaking of parasites we were out fishing on opener and I opened some gulp alive minnows and a little while later noticed what looked like a piece of black string on my tackle box. The only thing was that it was coiled up and was moving. I didn't take any pics but wish I would have. Has anyone else ever seen anything like this?

[FearNoFish]

I know of some family friends in Ontario Canada that tried to pickle walleye not sure how they did it, but they all came down with tapeworms. "NEVER WILL I EAT RAW FISH" Sushi = cut bait

[candiru]

If the fish is frozen at least 48 hours it kills the parasites in the meat.

[PRO-V]

Sled59, I've seen those many times, usually in close to shore swimming around. They are a type of worm, can't remember the name.

[20lbSloughShark]

i saw a post about a worm like you describe a few months ago on this site. I think they called it a horsehair leech or worm.

[Sonicrunch]

This thread needs pics.

[Pigmeat]

No pics, I've already got the willies! Sushi grade fish has been frozen to kill parasites and cannot be in proximity to non- sushi grade. I freeze northern fillets for at least a week before pickling them.

[Slabasaurus]

This thread needs pics.

x10000

[Cheetah]

If the fish is frozen at least 48 hours it kills the parasites in the meat.

Your home freezer won't get cold enough to kill em all. The FDA has some info online about it. If the mods will allow it, I think this link on the fda.gov site is informational.

http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceComplian...e/ucm091704.htm

[mainbutter]

That said, you will never, ever see me consume raw fish that I caught... much less any fish that isn't sushi grade

Fair warning, as far as I know there is no legal definition of sushi grade, so any fish retailer could slap that name on any chunk of fish.

It seems that places in the US that DO label some fish as "sushi grade" only do so if they adhere to FDA freezing guidelines, but if they aren't toeing the line on the guidelines, they aren't breaking any laws.

Most grocery stores that sell fish set their storage freezers at -10*F. They receive all their fish as frozen products.

[Grainbelt]

Relatives of my in-laws fishing in Canada decided to have walleye sushi. A few weeks later a couple guys noticed they had tails sticking out their south end. All of them had to go see the doc. I wouldn't recommend it.

[WillCFish]

If ya worry too much about these things ya won't eat lettuce or nothing. That being said "Make my Sushi, Well Done"

WillCFish

[LMITOUT]

Sushi = cut bait

+1

[Beast26]

I don't believe I have ever seen worms in walleyes but I have seen some disgusting parasites in catfish (tapeworm that had to be two feet long in the guts) and panfish (worms in the meat itself). Ick. The nastiest thing I have ever seen was what is called rice breast in Mallards. Below is an example.

[delcecchi]

Most home stand alone freezers easily go below -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Heck, even the drawer in my refrigerator goes that low.