To eat cat, or not to eat

[fisherking32]

Most of the time when I mention cats to fellow northerners, they all look at me with that kinda goofy, half crooked look, you know the one, one eyebrow up and all, then mention something about rough fish or slimy, or ugly.

Well even if you do manage to let them in on how good a fighter they are, I usually give them a very basic recipe that many agree that they might try the next time they land one of the "pesky critters".

I don't know how many of you guys eat them, but if your like me, I turn all of the bigger cats, 10-12 pounders or better back, but I usually keep a few 5-6 pounders if there aren't any 2-3's biting and I'm after a meal, as these are the best for pan frying. The larger ones I either steam, or boil, until you can easily stick a fork through the side into the backbone. Then pull him out onto a plate and free the meat easily from all the bones. Then pour over some melted butter and a squeeze of lemon juice....wala.....Poor Man's Lobster.

[Ralph Wiggum]

I love catfish. I've never tried it that way. I'll have to give it a shot. How do you clean them? Just gutted?

[hanson]

Poor Man's Lobster

Careful there... us Minnesotan's refer to "poor man's lobster" as properly prepared Eelpout or Burbot. I would not put catfish into this category or want to talk about catfish and eelpout in the same sentence. Well... I just did but that may be a one and only time.

Catfish is delicious and one of my favorite fish to eat. I would even put it above Minnesota's cherished walleye. Deep fried would be my favorite way to prepare cat.

Channels only for eating too. Let the flatties go!

[fisherking32]

Yes, I take the hide off first( A pair of pincer type or skinning pliers works best) then cut deep along both sides of the fins and pull out with the pliers, cut down to the backbone on both sides and twist for the tail, open the belly carefully and take the head off by twisting and most guts stay with the head, then clean out the inside, I even use a scrub brush to take off the silvery lining inside (An old trick my grandma says takes alot of the "fishy" taste out), then if they don't fit in the boiling water pan I cut em in half.

[Bobb-o]

hansopn are insulting eelpout? they are prob the best tasting fish that swims! you just gotta look past their ugliness, How can you not love a fish that wants to give your arm a hug once you pull it out of the water? haha