Rainbow trout are a fantastic catch and a good eat. This is a how-to article that will walk you through how to clean a rainbow trout in five easy steps and without requiring too much time or effort.
Best Way to Clean Rainbow Trout
Gut the Rainbow Trout
The first step is gutting the trout. To clean the fish, insert a sharp knife through the skin behind and under the pectoral fins and cut down towards the tail. Smoothly cut through the length of gut cavity to near the anal vent.
Cut Behind the Head
Lay the fish on its side and make a vertical cut behind the head of the fish from skin down to the backbone. Do not cut through the backbone.
Filet the Trout
Turn the knife blade to face toward the tail of the fish. Hug the backbone closely without cutting into it. Cut down the length of the fish to remove the fillet from the backbone. Set the filet aside and repeat for the other side.
Cut out the Rib Cage
Cut out and discard the rib cage from the fillet. Also run your fingers along the meat to feel for small bones that may be stuck in the filet.
Remove the Skin from the Rainbow Trout Filet
With your fingers on the end of the tail, press the filet skin-side down to the cleaning surface. With the other hand, cut along the skin as closely as possible with the blade flat against the skin. Remove the filet and wash for storage or cooking.
Tools and Tips for Cleaning Rainbow Trout
- A sharp knife is required. A good fillet knife should be sharp and able to hold its edge while being used.
- A dull knife is more dangerous than a sharp one because it forces you to work harder. A high-quality fillet knife cleans rainbow trout without much effort.
- Skinning boards are also helpful. These hold the fish in place and make descaling and skinning a lot easier.
- Placing the meat in cold water or on ice helps keep fish fresh. If left to warm, it changes both appearance and taste of the fillet.
- Freezing the fillets is a great idea if you want to save them for later. Place the fillets in a freezer bag with water and seal it shut. Make sure the water covers the fish entirely. This helps prevent freezer burn and keeps the fish tasting fresher longer.
In Conclusion – How to Clean Rainbow Trout
All in all, how to clean a rainbow trout is not too difficult. Combine these 5 simple steps with a little practice, and you’ll be fileting rainbow trout like a pro in no time. Hopefully this article about how to clean rainbow trout helps. Check out this article for more about how to clean trout in general.
