I love a good catch and cook regardless of the species. Across the country lakes and rivers are fighting a variety of invasive species. From mussels to aquarium escapees the problem costs states millions of dollars each year. It is important that all outdoors men and woman do their part to prevent the spread of these species. Be sure to wash your boat when switching bodies of water, never release aquarium pets into the wild, and eat the invasive every chance you get.
In some areas of the country outdoors lovers along with some local chefs are discovering that the invasive Asian Carp is actually a great tasting fish. Here in Florida one of my first discoveries were the invasive Oscars and Mayan Chichlid. These small aquarium escapees pack a heck of a punch on ultralight gear and cook up very well. Think sunfish or crappie on steroids. The canals and ponds in southwest Florida are infested with these fish which provides a great opportunity for those of us looking to add some fish to the freezer.
Fishing them is the same as fishing for any panfish. They will take live bait including worms or small minnows. Plastics and small crank baits work well also. They tend to hang out in similar locations as the panfish like Lilly pads, and rocks. So if you have spent any time chasing panfish apply the same principles to these fish.
As for the table they cook up well and I think that they taste similar to panfish. Personally I have had them beer battered, broiled, baked, and cooked whole. Of course beer battered is my all time favorite but I am exploring alternate and often healthier ways of preparing my catch. In addition I am adding in my foraged goods to the recipes as well. On this particular occasion I attempted my first whole fish in fresh vegetables that included wild foraged greens. The results were better than I could have hoped for especially for a dish so far outside my comfort zone.
Moral to the story, don’t be afraid to break out of your comfort zone and try new things. There is a whole world of wonderful wild edible plants, mushrooms, fish, and game waiting for your next catch and cook. Don’t be afraid of failure either. If one or two trials fail keep exploring and you are sure to find a wild food that inspires you to search out even more. And if you can help the ecosystem at the same time by reducing the population of exotic and invasive species, even better. Most importantly just get outside and do something wild!
