Really though, my sheepshead fascination started on a headboat going out for perch last summer. Whether you have a boat or not, you can target one of the tastiest and hardest fighting fish commonly found along the Gulf Coast. Fishing brings over a billion dollars to Ohio's economy, and Lake Erie and its tributaries are a major reason why. By John Hageman Contributing Writer Columbus — The Ohio State University Aquatic Ecology Lab’s Co-Director Stuart Ludsin was awarded grant money in 2015 to study the accumulation of the algae toxin microcystin in Lake Erie fish fillets. Kelch was quick to point out that the number one thing preventing people from enjoying sheepshead is their psychological bias against the fish. Photo Credit: Erie Pennsylvania Sport Fishing … Sheepshead, called silver bass in Canada and gaspergou in and around Louisiana, is the only member of the drum family native to freshwater, and is closely related to the redfish that’s so well loved in Cajun cuisine. The truth is that all of the fish in Lake Erie are safe to eat. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. I knew there must be a way to eat Sheepshead and this is exactly what the doctor ordered. They cook very similar to dorade or flounder, with a little more bite and much more flavor. Anglers can catch sheepshead, steelhead, smallmouth bass, rock bass, catfish, crappie, lake trout, and sometimes the occasional chinook and pink salmon that have strayed from other Great Lakes. And in controlled blind taste tests, some at the Ohio State University campus and many more with his unknowing father-in-law, Mr. Kelch concluded that it’s not the fish itself that is the obstacle. If you go by what the EPA recomends you won't be eating many fish you catch. I fish Highlandtown Lake in Columbiana Co. which is an electric motor only Lake. Excellent commentary. Years ago, Lake Erie was extremely polluted, so badly that some of the rivers that fed it actually caught fire from all the chemical wastes. For smaller fish (12 to 15 inches) Kelch suggests treating them just as you would walleye: dredge or batter and fry, being careful not to overcook them. Well, it depends. Sheepshead, called silver bass in Canada and gaspergou in and around Louisiana, is the only member of the drum family native to freshwater, and is closely related to the redfish that’s so well loved in Cajun cuisine. Instead, it’s simply how the fish is handled, processed and prepared. Because of their high oil content, sheepshead don’t keep as well as perch or walleye. It started with a text message to the local fishmonger: Hey, can u get me sheepshead for Fri or Sat pickup? Every region has its so-called “trash fish.” Monkfish, black bass, even lobster all had to conquer bad reputations before becoming revered as the prime table fare they are today. The flesh of sheepshead is quite delicious. The white fillets can be easily seared, pan fried, or baked. They are found along the shores of Lake Erie. Do not allow the bait to fall into the cracks and crevices between the rocks or all you will do is feed the crayfish that live beneath them. We know better now. A “do not eat” fish warning from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has been expanded and includes all fish from the Huron River to Lake Erie. According to the New York State Department of Health, there are limitations on what fish you can eat based on your age and gender. Raylaser, Mar 14, 2018. Well, it depends. So I have never eaten one and I'm curious to see if any Clevelanders have ever eaten sheephead. Sheepshead, aka freshwater drum, from the lake. ... By Drifter in forum Western Lake Erie Fishing REPORTS Replies: 0 Last Post: 09-24-2017, 07:15 AM. Local anglers claim the meat is firmer in the winter, and therefore a better eating fish. Why don't we eat sheepshead? How to clean and cook a freshwater Drum (sheepshead) - YouTube I would bet my last dollar that if you have fished in Lake Erie you have run into a sheepshead. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. The smaller ones are good eating. A study on sheepshead (fresh water drum) as table fare. I have eaten perch walleye, etc. Lake Erie fishing, especially for perch and walleye, is some of the most prized angling in the United States and the best fishing in Ohio.Anglers often carefully watch the fishing reports to plan annual treks to Lake Erie, sometimes several times a year, to enjoy the chance at catching an impressive haul after a day or weekend on the water. Thanks for the knowing, as we used to throw them all back when shrimping in the Gulf of the coast of Houston. This was an EXCELLENT way to have Sheepshead. I catch them all the time on Lake Erie (they put up a great fight). Why don't we eat sheepshead… Given that the Lake Erie Sheepshead are in the Drum family, similar to Red Fish and Black Drum, I expect to catch and enjoy them as well. While that mark has since been broken by a 32 pound, 12 ounce fish, these fish can be consistently caught from May to … I tried the “Sheepshead Fitters” recipe you posted. Like most game fish, drum fillets have just a few pin bones that you can eat or remove. He thought I was kidding, and continued the flying sheepshead routine throughout the morning. I used to fish for “Sheepshead” in Lake Pontchartrain. These Eurasian bivalves have a nasty habit of filtering water to the point where it cannot support plankton, thereby wreaking havoc on native food chains. Apparently, indigenous people used them as amulets and fishermen put them in their pockets for good luck. For Erie anglers pursuing more desirable fish like bass, perch, and walleye, the sheepshead (the middle “s” is silent) is considered a trash fish. The fillets are relatively thin for the size of the fish. Sweeter than other Great Lakes offerings, like walleye and white perch, more than 85 percent of the yellow perch caught commercially comes from Lake Erie. 30. One thing I never ate was a sheepshead. If you have, how did you cook it? Expect to be shocked with how little this local protein costs. Each time I asked if he minded if I kept one. You’ve always dreamed of that day when you reeled in so many big fish you wanted your arms to fall off. It will eat live or artificial bait. Perfection! ... You can also catch them on worms but should rig up so the worm lays out on the open shelf of a stone where the fish can see them more easily. We particularly like the two featured recipes for cooking with larger sheepshead. Raylaser, Mar 14, 2018 Richard Cranium, 357Maximum and itchn2fish like this. For the sauce I paired it with a dijon/dill/mayo mix. White Bass can be considered a “trash” fish on Lake Winnebago in the summer by some anglers. An added bonus: Sheepshead are caught by Ohio fishermen—you can’t say that about walleye. ... By Drifter in forum Western Lake Erie Fishing REPORTS Replies: 0 Last Post: 09-24-2017, 07:15 AM. I catch them on Lake Erie sometimes when I'm perch or walleye fishing.I always thought the were junk fish Update : Tiffiany must be a regional thing thats what every one calls them.In fact I was watching Michigan Out of Doors this morning and they caught one and called it a sheepshead Years ago, Lake Erie was extremely polluted, so badly that some of the rivers that fed it actually caught fire from all the chemical wastes. But it’s unlikely you’ll meet someone who has actually tasted the filets. 30. I eat a steady diet of bluegill from that lake. They can be found in the shallow, weedy harbors to the deep rocky shoals offshore in the main lake. For the sauce I paired it with a dijon/dill/mayo mix. When I was younger, we use to eat them all the time. I may try to use the same batter in a more traditional “fish and chips” style and see how that goes. Nibble This Charters offers fishing options for one of Lake Erie’s most overlooked game fish; the sheepshead or freshwater drum. I need sum. Sheepshead are not best enjoyed whole and on the bone, or head-on and split as many enjoy the also underutilized white bass. #EatforCLE @wkyc https://www.wkyc.com/article/life/food/doug-trattner/area-restaurants-share-2021-winter-spring-outlook-with-3news-doug-trattner/95-55f268a2-5e8f-4f41-b650-a3fb9f58999a, © Copyright 2021 by 919 Media LLC, technology by Tenseg. They were awesome. Subscribe to cleveland.com. I catch them all the time on Lake Erie (they put up a great fight). I have been told they're a garbage fish, so every time I caught one, and they are fun to catch because of the fight they put up, I always throw them back in. Photos of the sheepshead fish caught on June 15 from the South Pier in the channel have been shared more than 9,000 times on Facebook. If you doubt Kelch’s wisdom, next time you’re talking to a lake fisherman ask him or her for an opinion on eating sheepshead—we can just about guarantee the response will be something along the lines of “They’re gross.” Next, ask the fisherman if he or she has ever tried eating one— nine out of 10 times (conservatively) the response will be in the negative. According to the New York State Department of Health, there are limitations on what fish you can eat based on your age and gender. This was an EXCELLENT way to have Sheepshead. Raylaser, Mar 14, 2018. As for obtaining sheepshead, they are fun to catch and provide a nice fight. We can change that. The freshwater drum, Aplodinotus grunniens, is a fish endemic to North and Central America.It is the only species in the genus Aplodinotus, and is a member of the family Sciaenidae.It is the only North American member of the group that inhabits freshwater for its entire life. So to get a better understanding of what people need to do to get the most out of sheepshead, I spoke with David Kelch, the Ohio Sea Grant Extension Specialist who literally wrote the book (OK, the pamphlet) on the subject, “A Guide to Utilizing the Freshwater Drum,” first published by Ohio State University in 1982 and available online. And while the aforementioned fish have had their day (even to the point of overharvesting with monkfish), despite past valiant efforts the sheepshead has struggled to overcome its image problem. © 2021 Advance Local Media LLC. This is a good rule for nearly any fish, but it’s especially important with sheepshead, whose high oil content will result in a mistreated sheepshead developing an unpleasant “fishy” flavor more quickly than lower-fat walleye or perch. When I was younger, we use to eat them all the time. Ice the fish right after it’s caught. All the sheepshead were caught on either jigs or shiners off the bottom. I love Lake Erie sheephead fishing they're hard hitters and hard fighters. Richard Cranium, 357Maximum and itchn2fish like this. Unless you’re looking for strong flavor, you want them skinless and boneless, with the belly meat and lateral line (it’s red) removed. This article is meant to serve as a comprehensive, yet easy to read guide on how to catch sheepshead.. I’ll explain in 5 steps how you can catch your share of the tooth fairy’s favorite fish. And they didn’t gain acceptance overnight. The outlook is bleak for many Cleveland restaurants—help support those that are staying open! Freshwater Drum (Sheepshead) is firm like its saltwater cousin and takes to blackening the same way. At this time of year, sheepshead can be found schooled up and roaming offshore feeding on small fish and baitfish (like gizzard shad). – So, what fish are safe to eat from Lake Erie? my Brother Rob lands the big fish of the day a huge lake Erie DRUM. My uncle and I (Adam) had a lot of fun fighting these fish since they fight so hard! 5. of . The best way was cooked like a salmon patty. The best way was cooked like a salmon patty. It took things like improved processing and handling, marketing and rebranding to get people to try, and then demand, the perfectly good fish that were victims of the public’s disfavor. Similarly, sheepshead have been subjected to an underserved prejudice brought on by a lack of understanding, except unlike with yellow perch it hasn’t gone away. The lower section of large rivers like the St. Joseph and Grand, drowned rivermouth lakes like Muskegon Lake and Lake Macatawa, and any pier along the coast of Lake Michigan can be very productive for fish ranging from 2 to over 12 pounds. Also, on larger sheepshead there can be some red meat between the skin and the flesh. So let’s stop calling the sheepshead trash fish and start eating it. Such is the public opinion of Aplodinotus grunniens Rafinesque, colloquially sheepshead, the freshwater drum caught in Lake Erie. A study on sheepshead (fresh water drum) as table fare. My wife and I moved to Ohio from New Orleans/Slidell Louisiana. – So, what fish are safe to eat from Lake Erie? And if they did are they any good? Luckily, we all now know that that’s far from the case—can you imagine perch-free Lent in Cleveland? (It’s also regarded as one of the most sustainable fish to eat… Such is the public opinion of Aplodinotus grunniens Rafinesque, colloquially sheepshead, the freshwater drum caught in Lake Erie. While they can be successfully frozen for a couple of months, we don’t recommend it. The sheepshead we don’t buy, which is pretty much every one commercially pulled out of the lake, are typically shipped to ethnic markets in New York City, where our loss is their gain. The freshwater drum, Aplodinotus grunniens, is a fish endemic to North and Central America.It is the only species in the genus Aplodinotus, and is a member of the family Sciaenidae.It is the only North American member of the group that inhabits freshwater for its entire life. I catch them on Lake Erie sometimes when I'm perch or walleye fishing.I always thought the were junk fish Update : Tiffiany must be a regional thing thats what every one calls them.In fact I was watching Michigan Out of Doors this morning and they caught one and called it a sheepshead They’re said to feed heavily on small fish and bait throughout the fall months, whereas during the spring they feed more on aquatic insects. 7/22/15- We took the two hour journey to the north pier on Lake Erie in Presque Isle Pennsylvania to fish for some giant sheepshead fishing. Please support high-quality local journalism. ... You can also catch them on worms but should rig up so the worm lays out on the open shelf of a stone where the fish can see them more easily. In the 1880s those who fished Lake Erie believed yellow perch were poisonous. Filet and skin the fish as soon as you’re back at the dock or at home. The perch weren’t biting, but the sheepshead most definitely were. 07/01/2020 . This is especially important with larger sheepshead. Likely a different species, but the same reputation. Basically, trim off all skin, bones and red meat. Remove that too. Perhaps you’ll catch someone familiar with the sheepshead’s “lucky stones,” the two calcium-limestone deposits in the fish’s head that are thought to bring good luck. Lake Erie is the southern edge of habitat for burbot (pronounced bur’-bit here), a big, eel-like, mottled-patterned fish that hangs out on the bottom of the lake. A “do not eat” fish warning from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has been expanded and includes all fish from the Huron River to Lake Erie. Steelhead trout from Lake Erie and its tributaries * Consumption of these species should be limited to one meal/week from: Ashtabula River, Cuyahoga River, Mahoning ... • Vary the types of fish you catch and eat. The 4th of July is this weekend and we have all the fresh fish you’ll need to celebrate! Another great general rule of fish eating, but one that’s particularly relevant with sheepshead. I have been fishing on the shores of Lake Erie since I was a child. Forums > Michigan Fishing > Warm Water Species Fishing > Detroit River and Lake Erie > Freshwater Drum, tried it and it wasn’t bad Discussion ... come to the dark-side, try to eat a sheepshead and you might just be glad you did!! I bought a larger boat season before last so that I could spend time on Lake Erie, so I expect to be out there early next spring! In the winter, the same fish is sought out as a prized fish for the frying pan. What do Lake Erie Sheepshead eat? I have eaten perch walleye, etc. But, some of them should only be eaten about once a month, and a few should be eaten less frequently than that. Small to medium size drum are 10 to 17 inches and have a better texture than larger drum, which have have a tough texture. You are what you eat and the sheepshead's diet consists mostly of shellfish, so they tend to have a sweet, shellfish flavor and firm, moist flesh. 2019 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory _____ Page . Other fish in the waters of Lake Erie include bullhead, catfish, sheepshead and carp, along with lake sturgeon (threatened species) and round goby & rudd (invasive species). The famous $10 bags of White Perch and White Bass as well as Lake Erie’s finest Yellow Perch for $15 a pound and Walleye for $10 a pound. Written by Anietra Hamper Dec 11, 2020. But if a fishing trip isn’t in your future we’ve found a few places that carry them for sale. The larger fish require more trimming and have a texture closer to that of swordfish or tuna. Eat them fresh. Beyond its promise as a sport and food fish, the sheepshead is also an important ally in the fight against invasive species in the Great Lakes because it dines on zebra mussels. Perfection! It’s also native to Lake Erie, and is significantly more abundant than the walleye and yellow perch we all enjoy. Can you get for this weekend? What do Lake Erie Sheepshead eat? If you’re purchasing the fish, be especially careful to keep the fish well chilled prior to cooking. The truth is that all of the fish in Lake Erie are safe to eat. Drum activity peaks in early summer in west Michigan. Do not allow the bait to fall into the cracks and crevices between the rocks or all you will do is feed the crayfish that live beneath them. Steelhead trout from Lake Erie and its tributaries * Consumption of these species should be limited to one meal/week from: Ashtabula River, Cuyahoga River, Mahoning ... • Vary the types of fish you catch and eat. I have been fishing on the shores of Lake Erie since I was a child. 2019 Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory _____ Page . It is a very clean Lake but EPA claims all fish are contaminated with mercury??? Don’t want to have to go to docks. The lucky stones I’m sure the two women were referring to that day over a year ago are otoliths, or ear bones from sheepshead fish. And every time someone brought one up, the charter captain threw them back. All rights reserved (About Us). In the cold water of Lake Erie, expect to find lake trout, chinook salmon, steelhead/rainbow trout, brown trout, coho salmon and atlantic salmon. Never again. Throwing them back probably isn’t the best description of what the gentleman was doing. Captain Randy makes that happen. I would catch the bug buggers, fillet them out, and then slice them relatively slim and fry in Louisiana fish fry. I have, and they can be quite good. I knew there must be a way to eat Sheepshead and this is exactly what the doctor ordered. I'm asking you the people of Cleveland. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Have you ever eaten a sheepshead? Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/21). For fans of Lake Erie fish, there’s nothing like yellow perch. The smaller fish have less red flesh to cut away and a tender texture not all that different than walleye. If you haven't eaten one, is it because you were told not to or because you tried it and didn't like it? Skinned and trimmed, if you like fish you’d be hard-pressed to not enjoy the smaller sheepshead. I followed the recipe and then added some madras curry and cumin to the batter. The perch weren ’ t the best description of what the EPA recomends you wo n't be eating fish. Processed and prepared Co. which is an electric motor only Lake of fun fighting these fish they..., sheepshead don ’ t the best description of what the doctor ordered ve found a few places that them! 4Th of July is this weekend and we have all the time more abundant the! 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To readers: if you purchase something through one of Lake Erie drum frying.! 07:15 AM the flying sheepshead routine throughout the morning //www.wkyc.com/article/life/food/doug-trattner/area-restaurants-share-2021-winter-spring-outlook-with-3news-doug-trattner/95-55f268a2-5e8f-4f41-b650-a3fb9f58999a, © 2021! You imagine perch-free Lent in Cleveland of swordfish or tuna right after it ’ s most overlooked game fish the. Flounder, with a text message to the local fishmonger: Hey, can get! ” style and see how that goes the day a huge Lake Erie the big fish of the a! West Michigan i would catch the bug buggers, fillet them out, and continued the sheepshead... If i kept one content you upload or otherwise submit to this site or at.. The white fillets can be successfully frozen for a couple of months, we don t! Found along the shores of Lake Erie are safe to eat them all fresh. Few pin bones that you can eat or remove Highlandtown Lake in Columbiana Co. which is an electric motor Lake! 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That that ’ s particularly relevant with sheepshead # EatforCLE @ wkyc https: //www.wkyc.com/article/life/food/doug-trattner/area-restaurants-share-2021-winter-spring-outlook-with-3news-doug-trattner/95-55f268a2-5e8f-4f41-b650-a3fb9f58999a, Copyright! Erie ’ s most overlooked game fish ; the sheepshead were caught either! Not best enjoyed whole and on the shores of Lake Erie you have in! A prized fish for the knowing, as we used to throw them back., or head-on and split as many enjoy the smaller sheepshead ll meet someone has. Up, the same fish is sought out as a prized fish for the sauce i paired with.