IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community

Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Hardwater Cuisine => Topic started by: tench on Dec 14, 2012, 02:59 AM

Title: Smoked Trout
Post by: tench on Dec 14, 2012, 02:59 AM
I've started smoking meats this year, and am interested in doing some fish. I've got a Char-Griller Pro without the smoke box, but I've got it dialed in to do a lot of low-and-slow cooking (Maintained temps as low as 180). Any tips/recipes for smoking fish? I've used hickory for my beef, and hickory with whole apples for my pork. Wood suggestions for fish? Also chunks vs chips? Thanks for any info guys!
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: ship of fools on Dec 14, 2012, 04:16 AM
I did a bunch of tuna .....  the steaks with the Montreal steak seasoning turned out awesome  ;D
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: budwinslow on Dec 14, 2012, 06:14 AM
If the fish is trout or salmon, I like a marinade of apple cider (hard if available), brown sugar and salt.  Then smoke at 150 with apple wood until the moisture content is just right. A ratio 1 cup cider, 1/3 cup sugar and 1/4 cup salt works well.  The soak time and cook time depend on how thick the fillets are
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: perchnut on Dec 14, 2012, 06:53 AM
I cold smoke with apple wood usually.  Coarse sawdust usually. I soak my fish in a brine of molasses, brown sugar, water, and enough kosher salt to float an egg.  Do the brine over night, and usually the smoke for 10-12 hours.  mmmmm
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Osage on Dec 14, 2012, 06:58 AM
Sassafras ,sassafras,sassafras ,sassafras! All fruit woods are great,give sassafras a try,puts a delicious sweet smoky flavor in your meat :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: JigginRod on Dec 14, 2012, 07:23 AM
I smoke fish for a living and perchnut had it right. Mix salt with water till there is enough salt to float an egg, or about 30% salinity. Then add anything else to the brine you would like, my favorite is plain light brown sugar, add enough that you can barley see you hand at the bottom of the bucket. Then soak your fish overnight-12hrs. Put it on the smoke rack and put a little more brown sugar on top the fish. Heat the fish till it is dried out then maintain the a fish temp of 145-155 for at least an hour.Then set the smoke and let it go till you get the desired color and smoke flavor.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: appleye on Dec 14, 2012, 08:03 AM
good stuff thanks for the tips!
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: DIRTBALL2 on Dec 14, 2012, 11:05 AM
appleye, Here's a good rule of thumb to follow when smoking! For smoking meat, use a hardwood! Like maple or hickory! For smoking fish, use a fruit wood! Like apple or plum! After I remove the fish from the brine I rinse them thoroughly with fresh, cold water. Then spread the fish out on some old newspaper or paper toweling, allow the fish to set long enough until they are completely dry! When you do it this way, your fish will take on a deeper golden-brown color! Good luck! DIRTBALL2 ;)
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: TogueHunter on Dec 14, 2012, 11:16 AM
I've tried all kinds of recipes, but pretty much stay with the salt r brine.  I've been using the same Little Chief electric smoker for over 15 years, and it came with a booklet with tips and recipes.  You can download it in .pdf format for free, here's one source.  http://www.kcgrills.com/recipes.html (http://www.kcgrills.com/recipes.html)
One thing I would emphasize is to rinse the fish in fresh water and paper-towel dry before placing them on the smoker.  Skin-side down with a little PAM cooking spray and keep checking so they don't dry out. (unless you like fish jerky)  :P  My Little Chief only averages about 150 degrees, but in the winter I place a cardboard box over the smoker for a little added insulation.   I usually do the smoking out in the back yard well away from the house (both for safety, and to keep the wife from ragging on me).   ;D
  As for the various types of woods... I seriously can't tell much of a difference between them, but the brine makes a HUGE difference.   Good luck! It's a lot of fun, and keep it simple at first and I'm sure you'll do fine with it.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: fisherman58 on Dec 14, 2012, 05:13 PM
I tried smoking fish a few times had a hard time keeping them lit!
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: fd757 on Dec 14, 2012, 10:38 PM
 ;D ;D ;D ;D
I tried smoking fish a few times had a hard time keeping them lit!
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Voltaire on Dec 14, 2012, 11:47 PM
The only fish I smoke are silver bass and they turn out excellent.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Oldbear on Dec 15, 2012, 04:09 PM
I make a brine just like Perchnut & JigginRod.  Dry off with a paper towel until it gets a white colored pinnicle on the flesh then proceed.  The long colder smoke the fish or what ever will last longer when not refrigerated compared to a hotter smoke like 180* up as then it gets more cooked instead of dryed & cured.  My favorite fish to smoke are Carp and especially Buffalo.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: iceargo on Dec 16, 2012, 09:12 AM
I have an old Brinkman charcoal smoker. I use cherry and apple wood trimmings from a friends orchard. Soak the wood real well. Brine: 1/2 cup Kosher Salt, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 1/2 qt of water.(float the egg). 1 capfull of Maple Flavoring, 1/2 capfull of Liquid Smoke. Soak overnight. Pat dry. Smoke for 4 to 6 hours depending on how high your heat was maintained. I also spray Pam on the grate before smoking. I always turnover the fish half way thru cooking. I use this recipe for Suckers I catch in the Spring and Northern Pike I catch ice fishing. Sweet meat.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Fishking83 on Dec 16, 2012, 08:46 PM
Only fish I have ever smoked is salmon/trout.  For my brine I use 1 gallon of water with 1 cup of pickling salt and 1 cup of brown sugar.  I keep my fish in the brine for at least 18 hours, usually longer.  I always smoke my fish with apple or cherry wood chips.  I always soak my wood chips in beer as well, think it gives it a better flavor.  If you throw dry chips in your smoker they burn up really quick.  Once out of the brine I sprinkle lemon pepper and chef pauls salmon seasoning over the fish.  Smoke at low temps for about 5 hours, always turn out great.  Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: tracker 1 on Dec 19, 2012, 06:15 PM
 have never smoked them but reading this thread makes me think about it. If you don't eat them right away how long could you store them ?
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Nevada Ice on Dec 19, 2012, 07:43 PM
We like to use a brine of  around 1 3/4 cup of salt (pickling or canning salt) per gallon of water, put a raw egg (in the shell) into the brine and it should float up to about the size of a quarter, much more than that the fish will be quite salty. after you get that done add in 2 cups of dark brown sugar, 2 table spoons each of black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, mix it until the sugar and salt are dissolved.  Fillet the trout leaving the skin on, put the fillets in the brine and we like to let them rest there for 6 hours if the file ts are around 1/2 inch thick, a little experimentation here to get the flavor you want, longer will give a stronger salt taste. Take the meat out and lay it on a clean old towel (don't use one of your wife's new ones), we have several that we save for just this. let the fish dry until it from a film that feel slight sticky, this is known as pell (not sure why), this should be in a cool area, we put ours out in the shop, takes 3-4 hours usually around 40-45 degrees. 
Then I get the smoker ready to go, I like to smoke fish with a low temp, 140° F. and 5-6 hours.  We have a Cajun Smoke Injector, and uses wood pellets, for fish you will get the best flavor from the fruit wood, alder or ash.  Hickory or mesquite is a bit bold for our taste for fish, great for red meat though.  We use this brine for Cornish game hens or turkeys, use a thermometer to bring the heat up to 170° to make sure they get cooked properly.

That is the way we do it out here in Northern Nevada, not saying that is the only way, do a search on the internet for a truck load of information.
Okay I'll shut up now finish my beer.
Les
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: JigginRod on Dec 19, 2012, 09:05 PM
Tracker 1 the smoked fish I sell lasts about 21 days in the fridge and 6-8months in the freezer if wrapped in freezer paper.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Fihaddict on Dec 20, 2012, 02:58 PM
I have been smoking salmon/steelhead for last couple of years. The quick way is to cut the fish in bones in 6-7 inch blocks and put it for couple of hours in mixture of 1/3 brown sugar 2/3 kosher salt and add plenty of dry dill and fresh grounded black peppers. Keep it refrigerated. Than smoke it in 160-190F with apple wood chips for about 1,5 hours. ( Put a film of olive oil on the grills before putting the fish,wipe excess of salt and air dry fish for half an hour before smoking). Call it done after it flakes off with light pressure on it. Use vacuum sealer if you planning to keep it longer than few days and refrigerate or freeze it. Bon apetite.
Mike
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: frozengator on Dec 21, 2012, 01:28 AM
there is two ways of smoking fish regular low and slow and cold smoking.  Look into the cold smoking too.  they do a lot of cheese that way too.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Icefisher40 on Dec 21, 2012, 01:50 AM
I have NEVER had smoked fish before... I think I'm missing out...  :-\
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: frozengator on Dec 21, 2012, 02:00 AM
smoked salmon is awsome
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: jiggenfrogs on Dec 21, 2012, 02:58 AM
Lots of good tips, rinsing and drying with paper towel is key and also I like to cut the filets in strips about 2" wide and 4"long and place strips of the same thickness on the same rack.  Good luck, smoked fish is a great thing :)a
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: JigginRod on Dec 22, 2012, 08:07 PM
Just remember if your are looking to do cold smoking the fish with still be raw when finished. Lox or cold smoked salmon is salt brined salmon that has been smoked at room temp so it is not cooked. Other types of cold smoked fish(other than salmon) should be cooked before eating. Hot smoking or keeping the internal temp of the fish at 145-150 for atleast an hour will produce cooked fish. Also be careful if you are looking to vaccum pack smoked fish. Because the fish will look and seem fine well after the perishable time period the vaccum package can lead to botulism.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: perchnut on Dec 23, 2012, 09:41 AM
I cold smoke for most of the time, then put the heat up a bit at the end to 'cook' it.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: smeltbuster on Dec 23, 2012, 02:49 PM
I got my first smoker when I was 13, that was 38 yrs.ago.You will definitely want to stick with a brine with Kosher salt & brown sugar,and anything else you want to put in it.I also add Mexican vanilla extract,liquid smoke ,garlic powder & 1/2 a lemon.I agree withToguehunter the brine makes a huge difference,but I usually cant tell much difference with what wood I use.I am going to try the sassafras that was reccomended,I have tons of it here,& that sounds like it might be good.I smoke mostly salmon,pike & smelt, plus jerky.The smelt get brined for 3-4hrs. & hot smoked for 1 hr.max. !
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: tbirdbassr on Dec 23, 2012, 08:55 PM
I have never done anything with sasafras but I did a brisket once with mullberry. It came out so good I dont smoke a brisket without it!!! Maybe if I manage a trout through the ice ill go trim some junk trees and try that this winter.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: frozengator on Dec 24, 2012, 08:14 AM
I have never done anything with sasafras but I did a brisket once with mullberry. It came out so good I dont smoke a brisket without it!!! Maybe if I manage a trout through the ice ill go trim some junk trees and try that this winter.
Do you use fresh wood or do you season for a year?
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: coboy on Dec 24, 2012, 09:26 AM
Do you use fresh wood or do you season for a year?
You really don't want to use green wood. Even though a lot of methods require soaking the wood ahead of time before starting the smoking process, It still is seasoned. With green
wood you would have some sap and tannins to deal with and I don't think it will char the same and produce the same flavor.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: smeltbuster on Dec 24, 2012, 01:46 PM
You definitely want to use seasoned wood,I also soak my wood for at least 6hrs. in water.I also do prefer oak for pork butts & ribs.Other than that,cherry,apple,maple ,hickory,mesquite is what I use.I do now have some seasoned  sassafras in the barn, ready to try on my next batch of pike.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Bait Be Gone on Dec 28, 2012, 09:36 AM
Smoked trout skin on or skin off? Thoughts.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: IDbasser on Dec 28, 2012, 09:53 AM
Skin on.  The meat will peel off the skin easy and the skin helps hold the fish together while smoking and getting it off the smoker.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: SINX53 on Dec 28, 2012, 10:03 AM
My father in law's cousin told me to brine fish overnight, then rinse and dry, then refrigerate overnight again. He said that way you really get a real good pellicle formation.
Is that overkill?
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Bait Be Gone on Dec 28, 2012, 06:19 PM
Thanks for the info. Got a new smoker for Christmas & going to start smoking fish
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: smeltbuster on Dec 28, 2012, 09:22 PM
My father in law's cousin told me to brine fish overnight, then rinse and dry, then refrigerate overnight again. He said that way you really get a real good pellicle formation.
Is that o[/verkill?
quote] 
Sounds logical if you have the time.I put mine in  a spare refrigerator with a small fan blowing on it for a couple of hours.I must also say,that my son has been doing some experimenting with brining fish longer in a brine with 1/2 the salt.Up to 4 days,and the results have been excellent.He is also hot smoking with charcoal & using maple . Wish I could share it with you all, its some good stuff ! He does not let it form a pellicle, even though I have told him to do so.Pike,salmon,steelhead fillets,no skin. Hey he's 25 & I cant convince him that he's doing it wrong ! Kinda hopin he doesnt listen to me !!!!
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Bait Be Gone on Dec 29, 2012, 11:45 AM
I am trying out new smoker today! Smoking some trout is it normal to look slimy? I thought it was supose dry it out? Feel like a dumby
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: smeltbuster on Dec 29, 2012, 01:11 PM
If you are doing skin on fillets,try dabbing it dry with a paper towel. It is supposed to dry a little,but you want trout to stay moist.Keep an eye on it,hopefully it will come out fine.Do not overcook it,unless you want trout jerky.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Bait Be Gone on Dec 29, 2012, 01:32 PM
Ok thanks smeltbuster do you keep water in your smoker the whole time?
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: smeltbuster on Dec 29, 2012, 07:03 PM
Yes I do. I started using a water smoker about 10 yrs. ago,& I always use water w/ fish. When doing jerky,I dont. How did the trout come out ? One more thing I like to do,is put the fish in the fridge for a few hrs. before eating it.I think this helps the flavor.I personally dont care for anything right out of the smoker.Thats why I put it in a ziplock bag & leave it for awhile.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Bait Be Gone on Dec 30, 2012, 05:51 PM
That trout turned out wonderful ! I will have to start smoking more often & try some other meats! Thanks for the help
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: slab88 on Dec 31, 2012, 09:03 AM
I was wondering if smoking perch is a good option
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: SINX53 on Dec 31, 2012, 12:19 PM
I got my first smoker when I was 13, that was 38 yrs.ago.You will definitely want to stick with a brine with Kosher salt & brown sugar,and anything else you want to put in it.I also add Mexican vanilla extract,liquid smoke ,garlic powder & 1/2 a lemon.I agree withToguehunter the brine makes a huge difference,but I usually cant tell much difference with what wood I use.I am going to try the sassafras that was reccomended,I have tons of it here,& that sounds like it might be good.I smoke mostly salmon,pike & smelt, plus jerky.The smelt get brined for 3-4hrs. & hot smoked for 1 hr.max. !

I just got a smoker last year and the only fish I have smoked so far is whitefish. I was just wondering how smoked northern pike taste?
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: smeltbuster on Dec 31, 2012, 06:04 PM
I love smoked pike,its very mild,probably similar to whitefish.It is not an oily fish,so you have to watch it closely or you end up with pike jerky.Pike jerky is good too,if thats what you want. It will dry out rather quickly.I prefer to smoke skin on fillets. One other thing I mentioned in an earlier post about the brine: At least one time,TRY some vanilla extract in the brine,it gives it a very unique flavor;I have never had anyone complain about it either.Probably 2-4 oz. in the brine.I usually just dump some in & I also taste  the brine to see if it needs anything. Yes I do taste it & if your paying attention you can taste the different things in there,besides all that salt !
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Jim_MI on Jan 01, 2013, 08:23 AM
I do a lot of cold smoking of salmon and here are some additional tips for that:
1) Cold-smoked fish is raw fish.  If done properly, the fish never gets above 80-90 degrees, which is too low to kill any pathogens.  So it is absolutely necessary that you handle with clean hands and utensils, and freeze the fish prior to smoking.  Freezing will kill any parasites that may be present in the flesh. 
2) Leaving the skin on when filleting will make thin-slicing a lot easier prior to serving.  Keep the smoked fish refrigerated in a ZipLock type re-sealable vacuum bag prior to serving.  Superficially shave off the dry outer surface of the part you are going to serve, and leave it on the rest of the fish to retain moisture.  Use a "salmon knife" (available at cuttlery stores) to make long paper-thin slices. The pink flesh is the good part.  The darker brown fatty tissue from just below the skin should be trimmed off each slice prior to serving. 
3) Cold smoking is best done at warm ambient temperatures.  I learned the hard way that cold smoking a nice salmon on a cold January day will lead to LOTS of soot and moisture from the smoke condensing on the fish, making it inedible.  If you have to cold smoke in cold weather, put a low heat source (100 watt light bulb, for example) inside your smoker to keep the fish temp in the 50-80 degree range.
I know, TMI.  Just lessons learned from lots of trial and error.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: smeltbuster on Jan 01, 2013, 12:05 PM
I do a lot of cold smoking of salmon and here are some additional tips for that:
1) Cold-smoked fish is raw fish.  If done properly, the fish never gets above 80-90 degrees, which is too low to kill any pathogens.  So it is absolutely necessary that you handle with clean hands and utensils, and freeze the fish prior to smoking.  Freezing will kill any parasites that may be present in the flesh. 
2) Leaving the skin on when filleting will make thin-slicing a lot easier prior to serving.  Keep the smoked fish refrigerated in a ZipLock type re-sealable vacuum bag prior to serving.  Superficially shave off the dry outer surface of the part you are going to serve, and leave it on the rest of the fish to retain moisture.  Use a "salmon knife" (available at cuttlery stores) to make long paper-thin slices. The pink flesh is the good part.  The darker brown fatty tissue from just below the skin should be trimmed off each slice prior to serving. 
3) Cold smoking is best done at warm ambient temperatures.  I learned the hard way that cold smoking a nice salmon on a cold January day will lead to LOTS of soot and moisture from the smoke condensing on the fish, making it inedible.  If you have to cold smoke in cold weather, put a low heat source (100 watt light bulb, for example) inside your smoker to keep the fish temp in the 50-80 degree range.
I know, TMI.  Just lessons learned from lots of trial and error.
  On average, how long do you smoke the fillets for? I have been wanting to try cold smoking for some time now,just havent done it. Thanks.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: FishinHank on Jan 01, 2013, 11:14 PM
Working at a salmon hatchery, I usually smoke a lot of fish every year. I just brine them, leave them out so they dry out a bit and then into the smoker they go. I like using a mix of apple and cherry wood.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Jim_MI on Jan 04, 2013, 09:34 PM
  On average, how long do you smoke the fillets for? I have been wanting to try cold smoking for some time now,just havent done it. Thanks.
Depends on the thickness of the fillet and whether you have skin on one side or not.  For typical 1-1/2" thick fillets with skin on, I'll go for 6- 8 hrs or so.  I use a Smoke Daddy cold smoke generator attached to my Sears gas grill barbecue, so not the ideal setup but it works for me.  You could go shorter with a better-sealed smoker.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: cold_feet on Jan 05, 2013, 08:40 AM
This is my method of smoking fish I took this idea from a book about smoking meat fish and whatever and follow it as close as possible. The end results is perfect the Product you are smoking never becomes over salty if you follow the weight to time rules I post. My brine starts with a Gal of spring water or more ( enough to submerge fish in)  Use Spring or filtered so their is no taste of chlorine or other impurities. Add enough salt (Kosher or NON ionized)to float a egg or potato which is 80% salinization . I do add 1/2 lb brown sugar,Black strap molasas about 1/2 bottle A half cup lemon juice, cut up 1 onion or use onion powder.If you are doing Salmon or Trout add Dill. Mix the brine in a non metal container and use to imerse fish in. Scale the fish and wipe it off with a solution of 4 parts water to 1 part vinigar this will remove the fish slime. then rinse in cold water. Imerse the fish in the brine and weigh it down with a plate or something but be carefull not to put a air pocket next to the fish Keep the brine cold about 35deg put ice in a plastic bag so as not to dilute the brine. Now here is why you weigh the fish. Each piece should be close to the same weight and do not use a total weight of the fish only the pieces. Say you have a Pike that weighs 15 lbs cleaned well it might be to big for the smoker so you cut it in quaters. Now you have 2 side with the weight of 71/2 lbs each cut again in quaters that makes each piece 3 3/4 lbs apiece. The brineing time for 3 3/4 lbs is 4hrs.  I'll put down the weight to time.
Under 1/4 lb 30 min
1/4 to1/2 45 min
1/2 to 1 lb 1 hr
1 to 2 lb  2 hrs
2 to 3 lbs 3 hrs
3 to 4 lbs 4 hrs
4 to 5 lbs 5 hrs
 For Oily fish Like Salmon, Trout and such add 15 min to the brine time  Fish in the rounds (or Whole) add 15 min to brine time. This scale of time of brineing worked great for me for yrs never to salty and the fish has a great flavore and hold up great for at least 3 to 4 wks in the fridge. After you finish brineing rinse the fish again under cold water  the put on a wire rack to dry What I do is put it next to a small fan to allow air to circulate around the fish. It must dry to form the Pellical . The pellical is a gloss that forms on the meat of the fish kind of like a varnish.Leave it under the fan untill the fish is dry the longer the better. Remember to keep the fish cool. Now put the fish in the smoker if you are useing racks oil the racks so the skin doesnt stick . Pike because it does not have a lot of oil in the flesh you can baste the fish with oil to keep it from drying out too much The time of smokeing their are no set rules to follow but if you push on it with a fork and it flakes you are done or a thermometer reading of 140 deg in the center of the flesh. If by some dumb chance you see a white liquid on the flesh when you are smokeing the fish it is caused by not drying he fish enough to form the pellical It will not hurt the taste or hurt you eating it just remember the time you used to dry the fish and add more time to the drying process. The type of wood you use is your preference but a rule of thumb is Fish stick to fruit woods or light smoke Alder Maple is one Cherry Apple Pear Peach.  Other hardwood like hickory is more for Meats. One thing to remember is not to over smoke. One hour of actual smoke is about right the rest of the time in the smoker is cooking and drying.  I do not recommend a cold smoke for fresh water fish. The Freshwater fish can carry parasites and other things to make a person sick if eaten raw or totally uncooked. The temp of 140 to 160 will kill everything that will harm humans. This is my method and I wont argue it with those who do it differently.   One more thing Cool the fish before eating it tastes better. One other note Do not think you can take fish that has been in a freezer for a year and make it taste better by smoking it. If you got bad fish it will taste bad if your fish is fresh you can expect to get excellent results. The end results are based on what you begin with such as fresh fish.
If anyone wants to know anymore just PM me
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: frozengator on Jan 29, 2013, 03:57 AM
We like to use a brine of  around 1 3/4 cup of salt (pickling or canning salt) per gallon of water, put a raw egg (in the shell) into the brine and it should float up to about the size of a quarter, much more than that the fish will be quite salty. after you get that done add in 2 cups of dark brown sugar, 2 table spoons each of black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, mix it until the sugar and salt are dissolved.  Fillet the trout leaving the skin on, put the fillets in the brine and we like to let them rest there for 6 hours if the file ts are around 1/2 inch thick, a little experimentation here to get the flavor you want, longer will give a stronger salt taste. Take the meat out and lay it on a clean old towel (don't use one of your wife's new ones), we have several that we save for just this. let the fish dry until it from a film that feel slight sticky, this is known as pell (not sure why), this should be in a cool area, we put ours out in the shop, takes 3-4 hours usually around 40-45 degrees. 
Then I get the smoker ready to go, I like to smoke fish with a low temp, 140° F. and 5-6 hours.  We have a Cajun Smoke Injector, and uses wood pellets, for fish you will get the best flavor from the fruit wood, alder or ash.  Hickory or mesquite is a bit bold for our taste for fish, great for red meat though.  We use this brine for Cornish game hens or turkeys, use a thermometer to bring the heat up to 170° to make sure they get cooked properly.

That is the way we do it out here in Northern Nevada, not saying that is the only way, do a search on the internet for a truck load of information.
Okay I'll shut up now finish my beer.
Les
I should have listen to what you said about checking the egg. I did some steelhead this weekend. It was really good just a touch too much salt. I didn't really measure. I just used mortons sugar cure and koshar salt. And most of your recipe. Next time I will though. I used the sugar cure because when I do chickens thats what I use.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: macchia182 on Feb 14, 2013, 12:23 PM
These are some great recipes and ideas.  Thanks everyone for sharing so far.  I'm a newbie to the smoking world.  I think I have decided on which smoker I want to purchase.  The Landmann 38" Two Drawer Vertical Gas Smoker.  Anyones thoughts on this smoker.  I was trying to decide between propane and electric.  I think propane is the way to go for me. 
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: HIMO on Feb 14, 2013, 12:33 PM
Also be careful if you are looking to vacuum pack smoked fish. Because the fish will look and seem fine well after the perishable time period the vacuum package can lead to botulism.

I vacuum seal and then freeze. problem solved.

                                                                                             HIMO
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Retiredbum on Sep 30, 2014, 11:16 AM
Is there anything better? Last year scored good on trout, just smoked the last of my stash. Looking forward to more ice and fish this year. It don't get any better than that. I use a small Mini Chief  with alder wood. Works good.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: NYSporty on Sep 30, 2014, 01:46 PM
Whats your recipe for the brine?
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Osage on Sep 30, 2014, 02:45 PM
I smoke trout every season,I prefer sassafras wood instead,it puts a sweet flavor to the smoke,but others are good also.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Retiredbum on Sep 30, 2014, 05:08 PM
I will have to try that wood,  Honestly I read in a steelhead mag, to chunk fish put in glass dish, sprinkle fish with Morton tender quick and let sit 20 mins.   Rinse in cold water, Pat dry with paper towels , Let sit on racks for about an hour, And then Put in smoker I use alder wood, one pan first hour, then 2nd pan 2nd hour,  I go 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Total, Best smoked fish I ever eaten,  But everyone does it their own way. It don't last long,  I eat around the bones. I don't know why I just do. 
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Retiredbum on Sep 30, 2014, 05:20 PM
That's   Morton Tender Quick  Home Meat Cure.  I ordered it from Morton Online. It has all the things you need in it.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: IDbasser on Sep 30, 2014, 07:36 PM
I did use alder with my fish, but I started using pecan and like it better.  I use 1 part kosher salt and 2 parts brown sugar with some Montreal's seasoning in it.  sprinkle generously on the trout and let sit overnight to 24 hours, rinse well with cold water, pat dry, sprinkle with the Montreal's seasoning again, not too much, just a little, and let sit 30-60 minutes, then put it in the smoker.  Everyone seems to really like it.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: TeamBlueGear on Oct 07, 2014, 05:49 AM
I can't wait to smoke a bunch next week. Ive been Steelhead fishing and have 4 or 5 fish filleted but want to fill the smoker before I fire it up so need a few more. I'm going to try the salt/brown sugar brine mix. How long do you guys smoke it for and what temp.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Osage on Oct 07, 2014, 09:01 PM
I can't wait to smoke a bunch next week. Ive been Steelhead fishing and have 4 or 5 fish filleted but want to fill the smoker before I fire it up so need a few more. I'm going to try the salt/brown sugar brine mix. How long do you guys smoke it for and what temp.
Coincidently,the salt/ brown sugar brine mix is good for brining beef,pork,chicken,turkey and any fish.I add black pepper and on occasion a small bit of cloves in the mix.my smoker has a firebox on one end,I place the fish/ meat as far from the heat as possible,usually keeping the temp no higher than 250*.As far as time,it varys vastly depending on thickness mostly.I go by feel, and looks,I admit,I have to let it cool a bit in order for me to tell if it's done.When I think it's done by feel and looks,I take out a couple medium pieces,let it cool and sample,it's not scientific,but it works for me.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: IMP on Oct 24, 2014, 09:23 AM
try pecan wood chips
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: IDbasser on Nov 03, 2014, 02:34 PM
try pecan wood chips

I started using pecan, and I like it better than the alder.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: tricohatch on Dec 07, 2014, 01:29 PM
I did 10 last week and they turned out great! I like to use a combination of fruit woods such as pear,peach,Apple and plum. Let the dried chips soak in water for about a hour or so, but wait about a half an hour to put them on the burning charcoal coals though. I use 7 up or Dew in the water pan instead of water though. ;D
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Charlie Belle on Dec 19, 2014, 09:45 PM
Has anyone ever used a traeger to smoke trout or other fish?
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: FG Steve on Nov 25, 2017, 09:49 AM
I finally got my smoked trout recipe recorded (with pics) over in the Idaho Recipe section:

https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=218801.msg3716022#msg3716022 (https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=218801.msg3716022#msg3716022)

(http://stevelarsen.com/ice_shanty/smoked_trout_6.jpg)
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: Bear Lake Bob on Dec 18, 2017, 11:55 AM
See my Smoked Fish Post of two days ago, maybe it will help! :tipup:
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: metalbender on Dec 18, 2017, 09:33 PM
Doing a load of pike and lake trout for Christmas.  Basic recipe from the chief smoker, about three hrs at 140-160. Brine overnight. Op's are very right on serving cold. Smoker is in an insulated box with adjustable vent and hose routed outside the heated garage.
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: paramedicjake on Dec 19, 2017, 08:41 PM
Tony Chachere's Cajun seasoning and alder wood . Sprinkle it on and smoke to your liking .
Title: Re: Smoked Trout
Post by: captain54 on Dec 27, 2017, 01:25 AM
I smoke up some fresh caught bookies before Christmas. Then I flake the fish off the bones,add sour cream,softened cream cheese, real mayo,garlic powder,horseradish,a few dashes of hot sauce. It made a wonderful trout dip. I'll only eat smoked trout or  steelhead. Can do them fresh.