Is it Safe to Eat White Perch?
Fishing is a fantastic way to spend time on the water. Not only can you spend some quality time in nature, but you may also be able to catch supper while you’re at it, saving yourself a trip to the grocery store.
It is the white perch that is one of the most prevalent fish in eastern North America. Fishermen like capturing this fish around the East Coast and even in the Great Lakes.
White perch, on the other hand, does not have the same historical significance as salmon or bass. Many fisherman and their families are perplexed as to what to do with this common yet perplexing fish.
If you’ve been blessed with an abundance of white perch, here’s everything you need to know about eating and cooking it.
What Is the White Perch?
The white perch is a tiny, silvery fish that may grow up to 10 inches in length and weigh one pound. It is a close cousin of the striped bass and is classified as a member of the bass family rather than the perch family (the name is a little misleading).
The silvery-white hue of white perch, as well as a darker stripe along its dorsal fin and back, are the most distinguishing characteristics of the fish.
White perch is a widespread fish that may be found in brackish water, fresh water, and even near the shore. They may be found all over the world, from lakes and ponds in the Midwestern United States to the coastal parts of Nova Scotia.
White perch are considered an invasive species in certain locations because they reproduce fast and consume the same foods that native species such as walleye and white bass do. As a result, they are among the most popular sport fishing targets, with many local governments actively encouraging white perch fishing in order to reduce the number.
Is White Perch Safe to Eat?
White perch is quite popular in the sport fishing community, although it is less prevalent in the culinary community. While many culinary websites and books extol the virtues of bass, trout, and salmon, white perch is sometimes overlooked.
White perch, on the other hand, is completely safe to consume and is often considered to be extremely tasty. It is considered a delicacy in the Chesapeake Bay region, where there are enormous numbers of white perch because to the brackish water.
White perch is an excellent year-round fish to capture since it can be caught in any season and it freezes readily. This implies that you may indulge in delectable seafood whenever the mood strikes you.
White perch is a flaky white fish with a flavor that is comparable to that of walleye, pike, and even freshwater bass. White perch is a suitable option for finicky eaters since the fishy flavor is modest, while the flavor of other wild-caught species may be overbearing.
When cooked, white perch has a wonderful, flaky texture that easily breaks apart when pierced with a fork.
Is it Safe to Eat White Perch?
White perch, on the other hand, is not as popular as bass since it is more difficult to cook than bass. Because white perch are smaller than comparable fish species, you will need to capture more fish to acquire the same quantity of flesh as you would from a single bass.
It’s also a hassle to keep white perch clean. You must remove all of the little bones in order to get clean fillets, which may be time-consuming if you have a large number of fish to clean.
Although cleaning white perch takes a little more time and work, the wonderful tastes are well worth it. The fish is absolutely fine to consume.
How to Cook White Perch
For those of you who happen to have a bunch of white perch hanging around, here are a few possibilities for your next meal.
Frying
Many anglers say that fried white perch is the finest way to prepare it. Fried perch is such a delicacy in the Potomac River region that the annual white perch fish fry at Fletcher’s Boathouse is one of the most well-known events for fisherman in the area.
If you are not in the Chesapeake Bay region or are unable to get an invitation to this fishermen’s celebration, you may fry your own perch.
To begin, fillet the perch. Scale the fish, then use a fillet knife to remove two fillets from the backbone. Make certain that you remove all of the bones from your fish in order to prevent a nasty surprise when you eat it later.
After that, some chefs choose to marinade their perch before breading and frying it. Make a fast marinade with lemon juice, salt, pepper, and parsley and marinate the fillets for 10 minutes.
After the fish has been prepped and marinated, it is time to bread the fish. Prepare three plates or trays with flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. Coat the fish in flour first, then egg, and lastly bread crumbs.
Finally, your fish is ready to be fried! Deep fried it in oil until the fillets are golden brown.
You may serve your white perch fish fry with just tartar sauce and lemon, or you can go all out with side dishes such as coleslaw, cornbread, and even oysters.
Grilled
If the weather is great and you want to fire up the grill, white perch is a delicious alternative to the traditional barbecue cuisine of burgers and hot dogs.
To prepare the perch for grilling, detach the fillets from the bones. You may also prepare a marinade for the perch and let it soak for several hours to add more flavor.
Then, cook the salmon for approximately 12 minutes on each side, or until it seems to be done. This scorched dish is a favorite in the American South, where it is commonly served on a plate alongside catfish.
Alternative Suggestions
White perch is a highly adaptable fish, and you may cook it in a variety of ways, but these two are the most popular. You may poach it, roast it in the oven, or even ground up the meat and use it to create fish cakes.
White Perch Are Being Eaten
White perch is delicious to eat and readily available, so you may add it to your dinner rotation on a regular basis.
Because it is abundant in the eastern United States and because it is considered an invasive species, fisherman are encouraged to capture it.
As a result, you will almost certainly never run out of white perch. Once you have figured out how to clean it, remove the many bones, and have the patience to fillet this little fish, you will be rewarded with a mild, flaky white fish.
