Do people really eat those eelpout??

[WhiskeyPete]

I've been asking that question for years. I'm not the kind to stick my nose up at too many things, but never found a good reason to eat pout. Last year while at Springsteel on one of our guys weekends, my buddy said we would be eating pout for supper since they had pulled in a couple big boys earlier in the day. Around dinnertime he called and asked if I was on my way. Well, he didn't mean his permanant for supper, but into the resort for cocktails! Needless to say we didn't eat any pout.

Last weekend I pulled in the biggest pout I've ever caught. It was a blast to catch! This was the first pout I've had make multiple runs with my line back to the bottom. With the walleye bite being so slow the excitement of catching a larger fish of any species made it even more fun.

Anyway, I had it in my mind that I was going to eat pout and see what all the hoopla was about. I stripped that sucker of every last inch of backstrap and tossed it into a ziploc for the trip back home.

Tonight was the night. I did what everyone has been saying they do with pout. I boiled that sucker in 7up, drained and rinsed the chunks, they double boiled and dipped in melted butter.

Wow!!! That was awesome! Why doesn't everyone eat pout??

[bearplott]

They are very good! I hope, if people don't want them, they release them unharmed, and don't pitch them on the ice to rot, like I have seen in the past!

[TruthWalleyes]

I sure tried to catch an eater sized pout this year but no luck. I did catch my first though, but only about 14 inches.

[efgh]

Did you ever buy ocean cod in a grocery store? Those ell pout are fresh water cod.

[maxpower117]

Did you ever buy ocean cod in a grocery store? Those ell pout are fresh water cod.

Now, I've never had pout myself, so I must ask, why the heck would you boil a fish like cod in 7Up?

[pushbutton]

Funny! Never understood that one either. That trick should be saved for the warm water shallow caught largies .....when your really really....really hungry. Have boiled fish though, but most often to make cakes or for the novelty of that trash can gig. But, yeah, the pout can be cooked like any other fish.......pan fry it, deep fry it, bake it, broil it, grill it....nuwave oven or even george forman it

[davidbigreelz]

I have heard Ron Schara say multiple times that side by side with a fried walleye fillet, people will pick the pout every time as better. I have never even caught one but i really want to.

[bturck]

Not quite sure I agree with Schara but I've had pout boiled with garlic butter and deep fried and both are good.

[live-2-fish]

We boil cheap sweet white wine and water (50 50) with some onions, salt, lemon wedges, and peeper corns (called poor mans lobster in most cook books). Simmer this for about 20 min. Then throw in the pout chunks (bite size) simmer for about five min. Dip in butter and eat.

VERY good eating.

[ReyNel]

when we use to fish Long Point 20 years ago we would catch 2-3 pouts a day and take them home for the barn cats. Then a few years back we cleaned one and boiled it. It was great and to think people use to throw them out on the ice. Now we look forward to catching one.

[toddb]

Caught one last weekend, tried to release him but he wouldn't go down. Ended up cleaning him and needless to say, I wish he would have went back. Fried him alongside walleye and wished I had cooked more walleye... Not bad but not as good as walleye IMO. You don't get a lot from a pout once cleaned.

[otterman91105]

Depends on who you talk to. Some people say they are great. Poor mans lobster. I have had it a couple of time and i didn't think it was bad.

[harvey lee]

I have heard Ron Schara say multiple times that side by side with a fried walleye fillet, people will pick the pout every time as better. I have never even caught one but i really want to.

I had a fellow make me some pout up at the LOW's and I will say this, I would never eat it again.

[smnduck]

Ive had it a few times and would compare it to cod.

[davidbigreelz]

Does anyone know if pouts have a prominent "mud line" in the meat? I was wondering if it does, I know at times with other species that have mud lines can have a fish oil type of taste.

[maj330]

Eelpout are excellent table fare. Best part is - the fillets and back straps are boneless! Here is a useful reference for cleaning an eelpout: How to clean a burbot

The result is a pair of backstraps, two tail fillets, and a belly fillet. Don't forget the cheeks!

Poached (not boiled) eelpout backstrap chunks served with clarified butter are heavenly. I like to poach my pout in slightly acidic water as this compliments the sweetness of the meat. Poached tail fillets are also excellent but can be battered and fried or baked as well. I prefer the belly fillet batter dipped and fried.

[CANOPY SAM]

They always seem rubbery and chewy to me, but maybe I cook them wrong.

I always say, if you think this tastes anything like lobster, then you've obviously NEVER had lobster.

Not so much a "mud line" like white bass, or an occasional catfish. You do have to remove the fat layer from the fillet, just below the lateral line in the flesh...just like a catfish.

I'm always truly fascinated by how these critters can create gobs and gobs of slime !

[SrBrits]

i agree with canopy sam here,

if that is poor mans lobster, i hope i'm never that poor, n i enjoy lobster.

i've caught n cleaned n cooked them many times,n many ways, n never thought wow, that was good chit man, ok at best is all i can say. and any of the fillet that shows red in the meat, to me is quite strong fishy tasting.

[theicehooker]

I was a non believer in the fact that eel pout is good. However this year i had some at the wigwam from another guy that had it cooked there. It was fantastic. I had walleye i was eating and everyone wanted the pout instead. Its very good

[raptile130]

I don't always eat pout.But when i do it's definitely deep fried!