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How to Clean & Gut a Trout

Trout is a freshwater fish with a taste best described as mild, and a texture similar to that of salmon. Trout do not have scales and their skeletons are very compact which makes them fast to gut and clean. Smoking or baking trout are both popular cooking methods. As a result of its natural habitat in colder water temperatures, its health benefits are greater, featuring higher quantities of Omega-3 fatty acids which are proven to reduce the chances of heart attacks and strokes by up to 40% in middle-aged men, according to a study by the American Heart Association.

Things You'll Need

Sharp knife
Bucket

Instructions

- 1
  Lay the trout on a flat surface.
- 2
  Cut the length of the trout starting from its anus, along its belly, until you reach its throat, using your knife. Cutting too deeply will result in a lot of excess bleeding.
- 3
  Slice through the soft tissue between the gills and collarbone to remove its head. You can flip the trout over and cut from the other side to complete the head removal if necessary. Drop the trout head in your bucket.
- 4
  Grasp the entrails once you have removed the head and pull them out, disposing of them in your bucket.
- 5
  Clean the bloodline that runs straight down the backbone of the fish using your finger. The blood will greatly affect the taste of the fish if it's not removed before cooking.
- 6
  Wash the fillet thoroughly in clean tap water or a saltwater mixture to remove any excess guts or blood.

Animals & Science