A few questions and thoughts...... I am primarily referencing when you are camping in the BWCA for multiple nights.

#1: Do you think fried Walleye is much better than fried Bluegill?

#2: Do you ever target fish for Bluegill, to have for dinner if you aren't catching any Walleye?

#3: Would you rather eat Bluegill than Bass or Pike?

#4: Do you rely on eating fish as your primary meal when you stay in the BWCA?

#5: What is your favorite way prepare and cook the fish you catch?

Great questions! I'm interested to see other members' opinions and habits.

(1) YES. I think walleye IS that much better, if both are prepared well. Fresh-caught walleye, properly prepared, is a delicacy of the North Woods. -But properly prepared northern pike ain't far behind! :) That being said- I am certainly not a fish snob, and will eat SMB, LMB, bluegills, perch, or even bullheads (never had them). I'd try just about any fish species. There was a fishing video on youtube by a guy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7_x9178hT4).

(2) Nope. I'd be into it in a lake that didn't have walleyes, though.. ;-)

(3) No. I'd DEFINITELY go for the pike in this decision. Not even close.

(4) No. I plan to eat fish as primary meals, but I don't rely on it. I always pack in enough food, and am satisfied with a big meal of rice and beans, followed by some boxed wine or scotch. Always have enough dehydrated meals that I can have at least one a day. All in addition to baguettes, cheese, nuts, dried and fresh fruit, and sausages. The food is never an issue. -the fish is a huge bonus, though!

(5) Walleyes: simple pan fry in butter and salt/pepper. I like to bake northern pike whole and slide the meat off the carcass with a fork. That way, I don't have to mess with the 'y' bones.

I'm kinda fond of properly prepared bluegill. Saltine crackers, pepper and hot peanut oil.

Prefer the walleye and pike, but would have no problem eating bluegill.

Ate our first SMB last year and they were just fine also. (we're from Ohio, we don't eat them when caught around here), but the water is so clean, and their diet so much better in the BWCA that it makes them taste just fine.

All that being said, I'd rather clean 1-2 walleye or pike for dinner than 8-10 bluegill.

#1: Do you think fried Walleye is much better than fried Bluegill?

No. They're both great.

#2: Do you ever target fish for Bluegill, to have for dinner if you aren't catching any Walleye?

Not since I was a kid, but I dream of fishing for bluegills again.

#3: Would you rather eat Bluegill than Bass or Pike?

Yes.

#4: Do you rely on eating fish as your primary meal when you stay in the BWCA?

North of the BWWCA, yes.

#5: What is your favorite way prepare and cook the fish you catch?

Nothing fancy. Roll them in a batter and fry them.

Anybody ever make sunfish (bluegill) shrimp?
Cut the fillets in half. Boil them in salt water for about five minutes. Dry them with paper towels, and put them in the fridge to cool. Take them out and dip in cocktail sauce. Its Awesome!!

1. Pan fried, skin on bluegill (you have to descale them) is just as good, if not better than walleye. A properly fired fillet has a beautiful crunch to the skin that you will never get with walleye. That said, I'd never mess with that in the BWCAW... but the work is worth the effort at a cabin.

2. I love panfish, but I hate meat mongers too. If there is a good bite of nice sized bluegills or crappies, count me in. It's the BEST way to get kids into fishing too. Just be sure to teach them to put the little ones back.

3. Tough call. Bluegill over bass for sure. I happen to think pike is better than walleye... except for the bones. I've tried 5-piece filleting before and I always feel like I'm wasting a lot. Smaller, cold-water bass are good too. A little chewier, but still delicious.

4. Similar to most. I always count on fish for at least two meals, but there is always a side dish. It is a sad affair when the side dish becomes the main meal. We have actually discussed bringing nothing but 20 packages of ramen, butter, and seasoning to really put the pressure on, but we always wus out.


5. Cast iron skillet. Extra light tasting olive oil. Zatarains blackened seasoning. Walleye. Best there is. (but you can sub out whatever was biting). For the kiddos, same thing, but switch the Zatarains to garlic salt and lemon/herb seasoning.

Sidenote: whoever cooked the northern whole... great idea, I may try that. Can you just lift the carcass out like a trout? We used to stuff brookies and rainbows that way and then just lift the whole rib cage out.

Coppernuts: "1. Pan fried, skin on bluegill (you have to descale them) is just as good, if not better than walleye. A properly fired fillet has a beautiful crunch to the skin that you will never get with walleye. That said, I'd never mess with that in the BWCAW... but the work is worth the effort at a cabin.


2. I love panfish, but I hate meat mongers too. If there is a good bite of nice sized bluegills or crappies, count me in. It's the BEST way to get kids into fishing too. Just be sure to teach them to put the little ones back.


3. Tough call. Bluegill over bass for sure. I happen to think pike is better than walleye... except for the bones. I've tried 5-piece filleting before and I always feel like I'm wasting a lot. Smaller, cold-water bass are good too. A little chewier, but still delicious.


4. Similar to most. I always count on fish for at least two meals, but there is always a side dish. It is a sad affair when the side dish becomes the main meal. We have actually discussed bringing nothing but 20 packages of ramen, butter, and seasoning to really put the pressure on, but we always wus out.



5. Cast iron skillet. Extra light tasting olive oil. Zatarains blackened seasoning. Walleye. Best there is. (but you can sub out whatever was biting). For the kiddos, same thing, but switch the Zatarains to garlic salt and lemon/herb seasoning.


Sidenote: whoever cooked the northern whole... great idea, I may try that. Can you just lift the carcass out like a trout? We used to stuff brookies and rainbows that way and then just lift the whole rib cage out.


"

I prepare them exactly like I do when camping in the Adirondacks and catching and eating brookies. I don't 'take out' the spine and ribs like I do with the trout... I 'pull off' the 'fillets (chunks?) of meat' from the carcass of the pike. A decent pike (26" or so) has a fairly robust skeleton, and the meat will slide off the bone when coaxed off patiently. Remember the lemon :) I hope you enjoy!

I don't mind catching walleye. I'm still chasing that "lunker" - because they're there.
But, they're tasteless. We have a long-running saying in our family that walleye taste like whatever seasoning you put in the flour.
I much prefer northern and bluegill. They actually taste like fish.
I will specifically spend some time trying to get a small-medium northern or two on the stringer, and if successful, all the walleye get tossed back.
I'll eat walleye if there's nothing else.

JUST MY OPINION HERE:

#1: Do you think fried Walleye is much better than fried Bluegill?
*No, I prefer Bluegill

#2: Do you ever target fish for Bluegill, to have for dinner if you aren't catching any Walleye?
*Yes, I've had many times targeting Walleye and start catching nice/large Bluegill, will sort out and toss large ones back and keep the 1/3-1/2 lb ones.

#3: Would you rather eat Bluegill than Bass or Pike?
*Yes in regards to Bass - Bass (freshwater species) are never my consideration for eating
*Toss up between Bluegill and Pike. Completely different texture and flavor profile.

#4: Do you rely on eating fish as your primary meal when you stay in the BWCA?
*No, but definitely plan to have a few meals, when possible.

#5: What is your favorite way prepare and cook the fish you catch?
*Depends on the type of fish and where I'm at (BWCA, home, camping, etc.)