the aitkin DNR fisheries told me that its spawning colors, just a lot brighter than normal. and yes it did give a great fight. the only way to land these things is a net, as the fish is round, and almost impossible to grasp.🤔

Not even down south, LOL.   I think you'd need a hacksaw to clean them.

stuffed onion???  have not heard of that before...

they are not bad smoked...  

Dynamite rl_sd !! , we've done them before but not quite that way, I'm gonna give those a whirl... thanks. Oh ya I like the after dinner mint you have handy near by!!   👍

That looks awesome!

Are they edible? I mean, I suppose any fish can be edible if beer battered enough or smoked but do people normally eat them?

Tried cheeseburger meatloaf on the pellet smoker last week. 1# pork sausage, 2# 85% beef, shredded cheese, Italian bread crumbs, Worcester sauce, chopped onion, minced garlic and four eggs. Made  4 loaves and topped it with more cheese and some ketchup and mustard. Onto the smoke for an hr at 400 degrees. My two boys went nuts over it. Thinking maybe pickles on top next time! Had to make up a stuffed onion as well!      

Meh, they don't cause no trouble in the lake, all part of a balanced ecosystem.  I know people want the lake to be nothing but stocked walleye though    They turn blue green like that when they are spawning.  That one is a dandy though.

We are selling our home in Cresbard, SD which is located 45 miles SW of Aberdeen, SD. There are lots of great hunting opportunities for pheasant and water fowl with several guides in the area!  https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/307-5th-St-E-Cresbard-SD-57435/242904419_zpid/