I mean, after all isn’t that the whole idea behind taste? As a result, many people include them in chowders and fish stews.īut the real answer is…freshwater drum taste is somewhat subjective. The meat has a firm texture, not a flaky one like Crappie or Walleye. The freshwater drum has a semi-sweet, mild taste. Unless waterways are severely polluted in your area, the freshwater drum you catch should be perfectly safe to eat as long as the water you catch them in is clean and free from harmful contaminants.Īs always, when cooking, proper food safety needs to be exercised to ensure you eat healthy and delicious fish. And if you are ever in doubt, make a call to your local Fish and Wildlife agency regional office to speak with a fisheries professional. In the United States, Canada, and most other countries with a recreational angling community, wildlife, and fisheries biologists monitor lakes, rivers, and streams and issue consumption advisories if needed.Īlways check to see if any warnings or advisories are issued in your area. Species of bottom-feeders like a freshwater drum are particularly vulnerable to absorbing harmful chemicals. Some species of fish and shellfish can become harmful to humans if the environment they live in has been contaminated.Ĭontaminants can be absorbed into fish which can cause harm to humans if eaten. Nevertheless, eating freshwater drum is safe, as long as the water it was caught does not have any fish consumption advisories. However, they do contain small pin bones, which may need to be removed before cooking. See Also: Are Carp Good To Eat? Why The Poor Reputation? Are Freshwater Drum Safe To Eat?įreshwater drum are safe to eat for humans. This is another reason that contributes to freshwater drum’s undeserved bad reputation. However, they can sometimes be mistaken for the common carp, which is an invasive species. In fact, the Freshwater drum is a native species to North America with an extensive range of habitats, stretching from the deep south well into Canada! However, the freshwater drum is not an invasive species. Therefore freshwater drum are often treated as pests by fishing enthusiasts. Some believe freshwater drum to be a dangerous invasive species that cause harm to natural ecosystems. Just like Carp, Northern Pike, and even Yellow Perch you have to navigate your fillet knife around the bony areas, and either remove the pin bones or cook them out (some folks just eat them!) People Erroneously Think They’re An Invasive Species This is untrue, though, as freshwater drum are about as bony as any other freshwater game species.įillets from freshwater drum contain pin bones that are safe to eat but are often removed before cooking or serving. Yet, in some areas, poor water quality may lead to poor quality fish, (but this applies to all fish, including freshwater drum.) They Are Somewhat Bonyįreshwater drum have a reputation for being too bony to enjoy. This especially does not apply to freshwater drum, as when they’re adequately prepared, they have a delightful meaty taste. Although, this is not always the case when it comes to fish. As a result of their diet, some people believe that the species tastes unpleasant. People erroneously think they’re an invasive speciesįreshwater drum are bottom feeders, but they’re also predators of smaller fish and organisms.There are a few reasons why freshwater they have undeservedly earned notoriety as a bad-tasting, inedible fish species: Not to mention they can be a lot of fun to catch on light tackle! (They fight like linebackers!) Why the Bad Reputation?įreshwater drum have a poor reputation amongst anglers when it comes to eating them. These fish are very plentiful, offer mild and firm-textured meat, and can be cooked in a wide variety of ways.Īm I telling you that a cooler full of drum is going to taste the same as Crappie, Walleye, or Yellow Perch?īut, I am telling you they are not as bad as their reputation, and that you might be surprised at how tasty and plentiful these fish are. I fully admit and understand how this can be frustrating when you are targeting a particular species.īut what if you want to catch some fish from dinner?įreshwater drum is a great alternative to other species of fish such as carp, catfish, and even big bass. Often cursed by largemouth and smallmouth bass anglers (especially tournament fishermen), they’ve gained a reputation of tricking you into thinking you caught a new personal best bass…but really it’s just a big 8 lb drum! However, some anglers enjoy catching and even eating them…and they may be onto something. People Erroneously Think They’re An Invasive Speciesįreshwater drum is a species of fish that’s often thrown back and even cursed by some anglers.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |