Blue Gill

[SS MAYFLOAT]

These little fish are one of the tastiest of panfish. I truely love to eat them. A few weekends ago while I was cleaning several dozen, I noticed on one that it had what looked like small grains of rice in the flesh. I cut one out only to find out it was a parasitic worm! Gross! I then paid more attention to the rest that I cleaned and also checked the ones I cleaned before that one. I found 2 that had them.

Should I contact fish and game about this? I'm also worried about the ones that I didn't see the parasites in as they may be too small for the naked eye to see. I presume that making sure they are cooked above 160 degrees should kill them. I need some input on this as I have about 10 pounds of filets that I plan on using for a fish fry for the dock patrons next month. Don't want to make anyone sick in anyway. I do know uncooked pork contains parasites and that is why it is stressed to make sure it is cooked to a safe level.

Thanks.............SS

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Blue Gill

No worries, these worms are harmless when the fish is cooked properly... just a little added protien!

They come from snails in the water, the fish eat the snails and then Heron eat the fish... then when the
heron poops in the water the parasites come out and get in the snails again, it's a cycle.

... but they really are harmless, and I'm pretty sure that just freezing the fillets will kill the worms.

Don't tell any of your guests about the worms... until after they've already eaten.

 

[JB]

Re: Blue Gill

Yeah. My experience has been the same as grub. When I was young I was a bluegill specialist. Still have a 12", 2LB specimen on my wall. I bet I ate a gazillion of those little worms and suffrrrrrrd knoooooo hawarm. . . tic, tic. . . .bzzzzzzzzwf.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Blue Gill

You can pretty easily just poke them out with the tip of the fillet knife, no need to cut out a chunk of the fillet. If you're worried about them hold the fillet up to a light and you'll see any you missed.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Blue Gill

Thanks...I thought the same, but second, third, and other opinions help make an easier mind.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Blue Gill

Do not eat these fish, you need to send them to me for further inspection, I will report back after dinner. There is another bug that looks like pepper flakes, on the skin and in the meat, this also needs to be sent to me for inspection.
As others have stated, none of these bugs or grubs are hamful to humans, been around for ever and some lakes have this and some dont.
Blue gills are the best tasting, fish I have ever had. I catch perch, walleye and all trout species here in Michigan, and by far, these guys are the best. Good news is they are everywhere, and really fun to catch too. I have a couple lakes that I wont share locations, but they produce some really big gills, and they are really desired by fishermen in the know.