Black spots on blugills?

[Iceman Cometh]

I recently fished a lake and a few of the blugills had black spots on their skin under the scales. I've eaten these fish before in the past, but what are the black spots? Are they a worm/parasite? I've heard it has something to do with too much goose @##$$! in the water, and if you stock redear in the lake they will eat these and clean up the lake. True? I've also cleaned blugills that had maggot-like worms in their flesh. I didn't eat these, but my father has. Are these safe to eat? He said it just added a little more protein and flavor(LOL)!

[backatit]

Check it out   You can find anything here

http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=29988.0 (ftp://http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=29988.0)

[Mogwhy]

I caught many panfish with the small grub in them.  You can easily pick them out with a knife.  I've eaten the fillets afterwards and haven't noticed any taste difference.

[bbmonkey]

I have always eaten both the ones with balck spots and the little white grubs. Just picked out the grubs.

My dad told me that the grubs come from blue herons. Not sure if that is true or not.

[Cook078]

I noticed the smaller perch where I fish have the black spots, but the bigger ones dont... .....Anywho, they all taste great, and I'm still kickin, so i guess its ok.  And yes you can cut around the grubs if there are some, I have done this too....

Mike

[Fishin2]

 ;)YES, The black looking PEPPER SPOTS on a lot of fish in  small impoundments as well as small ponds are caused from fish eating bird feces. Another black pepper look is caused from the water being so warm in summer.

                                                                                  Mike in Ohio

[madporider]

i just recently caught a small northern with black spots on it

[cstolp]

Here check this out.  It covers the black spots and more.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteer/janfeb06/raw.html

[Iceman Cometh]

thanks guys for all the info-especially cstolp--the article was real informative--I recommend everyone read this.

[1TIGGER]

GREAT ARTICAL THANKS FOR THE INFO

[mrlongbeard1]

Great piece of information.Thanks!

[AugustWest]

Yep, good stuff!

[cstolp]

I don't eat sushi but if I did I wouldn't anymore.  What does have me worried after reading that is I make fish jerky.  It get marinaded, smoked, and then finished on the dehydrator.  I am going to have to contact my biologist friend and ask him how high a temp the fish needs to reach and for how long to destroy the Broad Fish Tapeworm.

[seaweed01]

Good information, everyone should read the article.