How To Fillet a Steelhead

The Ultimate Guide To Fillet A Steelhead

Your Ultimate How-To Guide On Filleting Steelhead

Learning to properly fillet a steelhead ensures you'll get the most from your catch, whether it's a hard-fought Clearwater river trophy or a Great Lakes chrome missile. While the process might seem daunting at first, with the right tools and technique, you'll be processing these magnificent fish like a pro in no time.

The right tools for filleting steelhead

Before diving into the filleting process, let's talk about the right tools for the job. The most crucial tool in your arsenal is your fillet knife. For steelhead between 4-10 pounds, our 8-inch fillet knife provides the perfect balance of control and cutting length. If you're regularly handling larger fish, you'll want to step up to a 9-inch or longer blade to make those long, smooth cuts easier.

Here's A List Of The Tools I Have On Hand.

Prep Your Steelhead For Filleting

Getting your steelhead ready for filleting is straightforward but important. These sea-run fish typically have a protective slime coating that, while essential for their survival, isn't something you want affecting the flavor of your fillets. Give the fish a good cleaning to remove this slime, then pat it dry with paper towels. This not only helps prevent any off-flavors but also keeps your fish from sliding around on your cutting surface. When dealing with larger steelhead, we strongly recommend gutting the fish and removing the roe before starting the filleting process.

As an added bonus, you can cure the roe for future fishing adventures - steelhead eggs make excellent bait for drift fishing, jet-divers on the big water, even bobber fishing for staged fish.

Now It's Time To Fillet Your Steelhead

Now for the main event. Steelhead have noticeably tougher bones and skin than their freshwater relatives, so you'll need to adjust your technique accordingly. Start by placing your fish on its side and making a deep cut just behind the gills, angling your blade slightly toward the head.

How Do You Remove Rib Bones From A Steelhead?

Once you've removed the first fillet, you'll need to deal with the rib bones. With the fillet skin-side down, start at the thickest end and carefully cut along the rib cage, angling your knife slightly upward to follow the natural curve of the ribs.

Storing Your Steelhead – Zip Locks Or Vacuum Sealer?

Proper storage is crucial for maintaining the quality of your steelhead fillets. For short-term storage of a day or two, pat the fillets dry and wrap them tightly before storing them in the coldest part of your refrigerator. If you're planning to store them longer, vacuum sealing is your best option. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn, label your packages with the date and weight, and your fillets will maintain their quality for up to six months in the freezer.