Y bones

[BillP]

Can anyone explain how to clean a northern pike so that you take out the Y bones. As I understand it, you fillet them and then somehow split each fillet. How do you know where to cut and don't you loose a lot of meat?

[lawdog]

Personally I think that is a VISUAL learning experience. I couldn't begin to tell someone how to do it. A resort worker in Canada showed me years ago and that's how I learned. Haven't even done it for quite a while now, not sure I even remember. SORRY.

This reminds me, man I need to get back to Canada fishing again!!!

[Slyster]

email me when you get a good 3 or 4 lb northern.. and I will show you.

[delmuts]

if you go down to the spiecies section and click on the northern / muskie forum; then go to page 12. there is a post on filleting northerns. also ; if you do a search, you can find a couple of web sites that explain how to and have pictures as well.

[huntingislife]

Here this explains it well and has pictures also:

http://www.state.nd.us/gnf/ndoutdoors/issues/articles-brochures/pike-how-to-filet/

[mntraveler]

That link shows the process very well. The other thing I have done is to cut the "back" meat (top of the fish) first before filleting each side. Then cut the fillet off while leaving the rib cage on the carcass. My last step is to cut out the "Y" bones.