Can You Eat Muskie Fish?

Is it possible to eat muskie fish? Catching one of these is quite the achievement because it’s one of the rarest fish around certain areas so it’s a real treat. Or is it really?

Truth is, there’s no one answer to the question of whether eating muskie is a good idea or not. Most people assume that muskie are related to pike but that’s not necessarily the case. Sure, the fish share many commonalities but they are also quite unique in different ways.

If you’re on the fence about eating muskie, then you’ll benefit from the following lines.

What is a Muskie Fish?

Muskie have a very intimidating look with a torpedo-like shape that can be really scary.

Their large mouths and menacing teeth can really put you off from even attempting to catch them. Its fins are located at the back of its centerline and its tails are engineered for smooth, fast swimming.

The muskies’ main characteristics are its brown-green stripes and spots, and this doesn’t help their appearance at all. If anything, this makes the fish even more off-putting to most anglers. But their color makes it easier to blend into their environment so they can sustain themselves with the proper prey.

Muskies are known to take cover in low-level water so they can hide under natural structures. The best place to fish for muskie fish is in Canada and the northernmost part of the US.

Do People Eat Muskie?

Are muskie good to eat? Yes, muskie fish are definitely edible and you can prepare them in a wide variety of ways. You can even find great muskie recipes online which you can mix to suit your personal taste.

With that said, muskie fish isn’t the most loved and it’s not really known for its great taste when compared to other fish. Generally, muskies weigh about 6 to 16kg but a really large catch can reach up to 31kgs.

Those who have tasted muskie say that it’s similar in taste to pike or bass so if you really like these two fish then you’re more likely to enjoy the taste of muskie.

Why Do People Like to Eat Muskie?

Do people eat muskie for taste or for size? Well, there’s no denying that size is a factor as you’re dealing with a fish that can reach up to 40 pounds in size. You can feed a whole family with a fish of that size and the bigger your catch, the bigger the dinner party.

People may also eat muskie fish for the taste. But, are tiger muskie good to eat? It’s hard to say because not many people have tried it.

Those who have said that it tastes similar to walleye while others think that it’s similar to codfish instead. Either way, the way you cook your muskie fish will affect its flavor so keep that in mind.

Can I Consume Muskie Fish Raw?

Unfortunately for anyone who likes their fish a little on the raw side, you can’t play that game with muskies.

That’s because as freshwater fish, muskies typically contain a lot of parasites and bacteria. It’s also high in mercury, some of which can be cooked out by exposing the fish to high temperatures.

This is why muskie fish isn’t recommended for pregnant or nursing women, even in small portions, because it’s way too high in mercury to be consistent with common sense.

Of course, if you’re in an emergency situation where you’re forced to eat raw muskie then you can but otherwise, it’s not a good idea.

Do Muskie Fish Taste Bad?

What is a muskie fish’s most common complaint? That it tastes bad! This is pretty much a well-held belief in the angling community and for good reason.

Muskie fish don’t taste all that nice unless you cook and clean them well. You should also season them properly to improve the flavor and remove the skin as well. When you do these things, you increase your chances of enjoying a delicious muskie fish.

So, while catching muskie is a tremendous achievement, it’s not the most popular fish to cook. It’s more of a catch and release sport fish that’s made for fun, not eating.

Plus, it’s important to note that some people like the taste of muskie while others don’t, so it’s an acquired taste whose deliciousness can only be decided by the one eating it.

Conclusion

So, can you really eat muskie fish? Absolutely. We’ve answered this question unequivocally.

Hopefully, you’ve now decided whether or not you’ll cook that muskie when you catch it this season, or if you’ll just catch and release it.