How to Fillet Fish

To understand how to fillet fish there are two main topics to consider:  fish anatomy and tools needed to get the job done.  These topics will be thoroughly covered on this page.

How to Fillet Fish:  Contents

Filleting Fish

Filleting fish is an art form and takes practice.  While initially it can be intimidating, don't think about it as being difficult.  Take your time and don't be in a hurry, and develop a feel for the anatomy of a fish and you will quickly learn how to fillete fish efficiently.  Click on the link above to view a sequence of pictures and descriptions to make this rewarding.

Best Fillet Board We Have Used

After using many commercially available fillet boards, and lots of flat boards made from wood to plastic, we had a chance to use TWO WAY Fillet® fish cleaning system and enthusiastically endorse and routinely use it.  Why?  We had never found a fillet board with or without a clamp that would anchor a fish mouth/head to the board, easily flip over, and easily dispose of the remains.  Until TWO WAY Fillet!    The difference is their clamp holds the fish by the mouth not the tail, in perfect fillet position.  Easily snaps into board in perfect fillet position, then just easy unsnaps and turns over to complete side two and will clean most species of fish.     Find TWO WAY Fillet® on their  E-Commerce store (www.filletboard.com,  on amazon.com and at many Scheels all sports stores.   Your link to amazon.com is below:

TWO WAY Fillet® Patented Fillet Board and Clamp, Fillet A Better Way (White, Original)

We are an Amazon Affiliate.  If you purchase a product we recommend or another product while on Amazon, we may receive a small commission.  Our staff recommends items that we have personally owned, used/tested, researched or we have fished with trusted anglers who recommend them.   These products will not cost you any more than what is posted. 

Fish Anatomy

You don't have to memorize the names and take a test but at least understand basic Fish Anatomy if you plan to keep and fillet your fish for eating.  The next picture will show you where you will want to cut away through the skin and meat up to but not through the entrails or guts of your fish.  Your knife blade should go down but not through the back bone, rather turn and follow that back bone towards the tail.  Your goal is to remove the edible portion (meat) without cutting into the entrails.  On the page link to filleting-fish above,  you will see a series of pictures walking you through the process of filleting walleye and white bass.

Cleaning - Rinsing - Finishing Your Fillets

After removing fillets from both sides of the fish, you will need to remove the rib bones, rinse thoroughly with a clean water rinse.  Note in the picture below the amount of excess blood and oil that is removed in the first rinse compared to the second rinse.  Having read this far you should be well on your way learn how to fillet fish or improve your process.  Read all pages available on PFT to learn about fillet knives, fillet boards, and more.

Vacuum Sealing and Proper Freezing Techniques

After thorough cleansing, for those fillets that you will not eat immediately, you will need to prepare them for freezing.  There are several best practices you can review, including  this Vacuum Sealing and Proper Freezing Techniques link above.  The goal of freezing should be to prevent freezer burn and also pack your fillets in quantities that are easy to select for size of meals you typically prepare.  Laying your fillets flat and not overlapping other fillets will enable you to vacuum seal them efficiently and also thaw them quickly and evenly when preparing them for a tasty meal.  Don't overlook this step when learning how to fillet fish.

Avoiding Fishy Taste

Is this an Oxymoron?  If you are going to eat fish, shouldn't it taste like fish?  What most people associate with  Fishy Taste is not the natural taste of the fish meat which is generally fresh, light and good.  Rather it is a taste that is associated with how the fish smells when first caught.  This results from the natural oils from the skin and can even be a result of excess oils from the stress of being caught.  Northern Pike actually stink when caught and will slime up your hands, boat or clothes if rubbed against it.  Click on this Fishy Taste link above link for practical tips to ensure you are able to serve the best tasting fillets possible.  Avoiding fishy taste when you learn how to fillet fish will make you the perfect host!