Do you eat Northern Pike?

[Yellowbaron]

SUPER new at this. I know Northern Pike are big in VT,  but do people usually catch and release them or keep and eat? I've heard they're not that good but some say otherwise. Just don't want to look like an idiot either way.

Thanks!

[bootstrap]

i dont. i think they taste like they smell. you have to know the technique to filet them around the y bones. make sure not to lay the meat back in the slime from the skin after you cut them.

[DR.SPECKLER]

I do.they taste great fried or pickled.

[Theshad]

I do too. Fried up it’s awesome.

[Light liner]

One of the best eating fish. IMO

[IceGunner]

Unfortunately, my father taught me they were trash.  One time I decided to see for myself and cleaned some. Very good but terrible  bony.  I pickled some, vinegar softened the bones, excellent.  I canned some, also very good.  I learned how to clean them and leave the Y bones, they are now a favorite of mine to eat. 

[drycold]

they taste like walleye. there great.

[BomoBrown]

They are good.  Their flavor, texture, and smell have changed in Bomoseen.  I have notice that most large Bono pike have switched from blue gills to smelt and there has been a noticeable change.  They are parasite free, smell sweeter, and taste cleaner. 

Most of the pike I caught this Sept had bellies full of several large smelt.

[Hardwater Renegade]

We eat pike, absolutely amazing tasting. The real pain about them is knowing how to clean them and get all the bones out.

[Iceassin]

2nd favorite behind Bluegill. Learned the 5 filet cleaning method. No more bones.

[Dipstick]

Yes. As stated here, get the hair bones out

[fishinjohn]

they taste like walleye. there great.

I wouldnt go that far.. HOWEVER
Definitely NOT throwing them back to swim away!!!
As most here have stated... learn how to remove they Y bone and you've got yourself a VERY GOOD tasting piece of fish for a meal..
Most definitely frying is the best option  IMO

[mdougla1]

2nd favorite behind Bluegill. Learned the 5 filet cleaning method. No more bones.

yeah watch a youtube video on the 5 fillet method and they're a breeze to clean and taste great

[esox_xtm]

I'll take all the pike you don't want. Don't compare pike to a smaller eater sized walleye but put it up against a 24 incher or so and you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference. Y-bones slip out with a little practice for totally bone-free fillets.



You can just see on that piece to the left the slit where the Y-bones came out. Yum!

[REDGIANT]

[cbice]

My extended family now looks for some pike filets every spring after I learned to make them boneless.   Pike is good in the smoker also.

[Borealis82]

We can pints of them with a little garlic leaving y bones in and the bones turn to dust. Make it like tuna salad it's delicious!! My kids won't eat tuna now

[Jschumacher]

I was hooked after the first time trying it. Deep fried it is fantastic. From the hole to the filet table right to the pan on the ice.

[BOWFIN1070]

Had a couple years ago fried..very good!

[ice dawg]

They are great fried, pickled or boiled in Sprite and dipped in melted butter. Some call it poor man's lobster around here.

[stitch]

If you dont want to fry ,try a thin layer of mayo and cover with your favorite bread crums and bake..works same for pickeral.

[Hardwater Renegade]

They are great fried, pickled or boiled in Sprite and dipped in melted butter. Some call it poor man's lobster around here.

That ain't no lie either, it is very good that way and does taste very similar to lobster. We also call it poor mans lobster, however the time and money spent on fishing gear, bait etc I think Lobster is actually cheaper LOL.

[FreshwaterPhil]

Pan fried pike fillets in batter are great. I hate bones in any fish, so I remove the y bones first. There are 2 methods, the one posted above by Regiant seems to waste a bit more of the meat. When I get done, there are 2 boneless fillets left, as there should be.
See this video for general idea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsBK2DPJhg0

I avoid keeping pike over 6 lbs, otherwise they get very fatty / rubbery like...

[Muggsy]

I like this guy's demonstrations, very good explanation.

[ran7ger]

delicious from cold water.  if you don't want to dick around with y-bones just grind the whole fillet up and make fish cakes.  can't beat it.

[FreshwaterPhil]

delicious from cold water.  if you don't want to dick around with y-bones just grind the whole fillet up and make fish cakes.  can't beat it.

Grinding pike into fish cakes sort of like grinding steak into burgers. Destroys the texture.

[Champlain Islander]

One of the best eating fish in Champlain especially fried.

[esox_xtm]

I like this guy's demonstrations, very good explanation.

This is pretty much the way I learned/do it. Love the way this guy changes cutting boards to keep eating meat separate from fish guts. I do the same thing with layers of newspaper. It's FOOD people.

[woodyvt]

Sure do......7-8lbs are a good size.....still big enough to fillet......fry or bake works!

[SKIFFLAKEJIMMY]

Pike are my wifes favorite. Very mild. Good stuff! EAT EM