How do i know if a fish, i caught, is big enough to eat?

Question

im going camping. i havent fished since i was little. so the fish were the size of monsters. i just dont remember how big they were exactly. the place im going says theres, bass, northern pike, and walleye. theres also the missouri river close by... lots of catfish.

Answer 1

well, first off your going to need to check what the state your in legal limits are.  if they meet that then they will be big enough to eat.  If you your going for food the best bet would be to fish for catfish or panfish.  Nothing better then a panfish cooked in a little skillet of a camp fire.

Answer 2

well first in order to keep the fish you need to check the fishing regulations to see the minimum and maximum size limits of the fish that you want in order to keep

Answer 3

If I were you, I'd stick to the Panfish- Bluegill/Crappie.

      

Why?

#1. You can easily catch over a dozen in a short period of time using the simplest tactics and bait.

#2. Generally, they have a "sweeter" taste than Pike, Bass, Catfish.

#3. In todays "hard water/ mercury-laden" lakes and rivers, eating "the big fish" is not wise; unless your in a pristine environment-Canada, Brazil, Etc.

If you can catch some 16-18" Walleye, that would be optimum. (Don't hold your breath! lol)

(In my opinion), Cats taste "the best" when they come from a sandy bottom river or lake. I won't eat (or fish for) "mud-cats".

After fishing all over the US, and tasting/catching a variety of "fish dinners". The easiest, fun, and tastiest fish to "fry" & catch (in Freshwater) is a Crappie or a decent-sized Bluegill.

Enjoy the "fight" of the Trout, Pike & Bass and then let them go.

Hope this helps? Good fishing!

Answer 4

All you do is you and your family weigh how much food you usually eat at dinner and weigh the fish if they are equvalient than its perfect. if the fish ways too little get a new 1, if it ways too much cut a the head off.

Answer 5

well personaly  i think a keeper is depnding on the kind of fish. walleye 12in 2.5lbs. and up pike 20in and 4lbs. and up bass well if they are fat and not to short keep em' and for catfish a good 12in and 2.5 lb. and up.hope this helped you and good luck fishing and have fun camping. catch the big one.

Answer 6

hey man, i went fishing one day with my best friend and he pulled up a little bass.  myself personally i would have thrown it back.  i asked him "you going to keep that fish".  we were planning on deep fiying the fish when we got back to his house and his only responce was "you eat a butter bean don't you."  got to thinkin.  butter bean is a whole lot smaller so that for some reason stuck with me.  i still throw the small ones back when i am planning on keeping what i catch but that silly little experesion is the truth.  so what i am trying to say i guess is that if you feel comfortable about keeping the fish, go ahead and fry away.  good luck and good fishin