How to Clean Fresh Fish

by Gail Logan

Overview

There is a thrill that comes from catching your own fish and preparing it for a meal for your friends and family. Fresh fish has a distinctive taste that you won't find from fish you buy in the grocery store, especially if it's frozen. Cleaning a fish can be a messy job, but the taste will be worth it in the end.
Cleaning Fresh Fish

Step 1

Begin by slicing the bottom of the fish over the stomach, and removing the intestines. Next, use the knife to slice a clean line straight down the back of the fish, beginning just behind the gills. Insert the knife all the way down until you feel it hit the back bone.
Step 2

Next, turn the knife so it is horizontal to the fish head and tail and make a series of evenly spaced slices from the head to the tail. Be sure your knife touches the backbone, otherwise you risk wasting the flesh.
Step 3

To remove the filet from the fish, starting at the tail and with your knife perpendicular to the backbone, slice underneath the entire area where you just made the small slices. Remove the filets and lay to the side. Dispose of the remainders.
Step 4

Repeat the three steps above on the underside of the fish so that you have two filets.
Step 5

For some recipes, it is best if the skin is left on, but if you prefer to remove it, lay the fish filet on a clean cutting board. Using a knife and holding the filet with a cloth to keep it from slipping, hold the knife at an angle and slice just under the skin in a sawing motion to remove.

4
Fish Sharp Knife Gloves, if desired. Cutting board Towel or cloth
Fish
Sharp Knife
Gloves, if desired.
Cutting board
Towel or cloth
The filets will have bones that need to be removed. Small pliers are ideal for this job.
The filets will have bones that need to be removed. Small pliers are ideal for this job.