Crappie can be found in practically every corner of North America and are widely known as some of the tastiest freshwater fish on the continent. They can get into the 4-pound range, but most anglers consider a keeper to be 10-12 inches long and approaching a pound or so in weight. Crappie are also plentiful in many areas and are relatively easy to catch, making the species a popular target for recreational anglers across the U.S. and Canada.
But like most panfish, crappie can be a little intimidating to clean. After all, the fillets from a fish this size are easily torn up by an unskilled hand, and nobody wants to waste a single morsel of something as tasty as crappie. Not to worry: Mike Hohner from Lindner’s Angling Edge is an expert, and in this video he’ll demonstrate his fool-proof method of quickly cleaning crappie and ensuring every bit of this prized fish makes its way to the plate.
Hehner of Brainerd, Minnesota, is a lifelong angler and outdoorsman, and has a fisheries degree from the University of Minnesota. He works, among other endeavors, as a field producer for the Lund Ultimate Fishing Experience TV show.