Thread: How Much Fish Do You Freeze?

First, if I don't start catching more fish than I have so far this spring, freezing too many is not going to be an issue . As far as how many packs, it depends on how large the packs are. I vacuum seal mine most of the time so a pack would have 6 or 8 fillets depending on the size of them. When I used to freeze them in water, a pack would have a whole lot more than that. Keeping to the vacuum pack size, assuming we eat fish about like you, maybe 2 or 3 times a month plus the occasional fish stew, I would need maybe 25 to 30 of those size packs. It is actually a bit less since part of the year we will be eating fresh fish. We have some group fish fries occasionally so I might freeze a few extra for those. Then there is the issue of freezer space so that can sometimes be an issue depending on what other stuff the wife has bought when she runs across a "special" and loads us up with chicken, beef, etc. Somehow, that always gets to be an issue no matter how much total freezer space you actually have.

It is a good thing I last longer than a year. My amount of fish caught lately has been pitiful.

I keep my fish in the one-pint yogurt size containers. I freeze the fish filets in water and cover with the lid. I only keep about six containers in the door shelve of the freezer. This amount is just enough for the wife and me. I am like you I bring home fresh fish to eat more than I should. We don't run out and I do have fish on hand for company in emergencies. I do give fish to a couple of folks that can really use them. I think I got a good plan nothing goes to the trash or woods.

That’s a tuff question and one that is constantly changing for me. I’ve been retired 6 years and I’ve thawed out fish for me and the Misses 2 times so I shouldn’t ever freeze any. Life would be easier and simpler if I did that. I never keep any if someone fishes with me. They take them or we catch and release. Got a few friends that request fish that don’t require me cleaning and it works out good for me. Also have a few friend I clean and vacuum seal to have on hand when they want some. I try not to exceed 5-8 packs and never have any over 6 months old. It’s hard to decide how many to keep and some day I plan to catch and release and I start catching the size I like 11-12” and ended up keeping when I shouldn’t because I think Dang it I’ve spent the money on gas and an hour drive I should keep some. Setting a slot size limit to keep cuts down on the keepers on tuff days.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

My group keeps quite a bit and eats quite a bit. In early spring each year we donate last years left overs to a local church and they have an Easter fish fry for the congregation. The fish fry this year is tomorrow (I think). That's why you guys see a lot of stripers in some of the pictures I share.

Nothing from the "Goins Fishing" group goes to waste. The resource is too precious for that!

I put 7 or 8 fillets to a bag,and I got way too many packs right now! eating fish about every 2 weeks, my freezer needs to be cleaned out....

Hardly any. I can't tell you the last time I kept any for myself. Dad kept a dozen or so a month ago. Couldn't tell you how long it had been before that.

I wind up keeping and freezing more than I probably should be I also give a good many away to folks that can’t fish. I freeze my fish in quart bags with water and they’ll last years like that. I normally try to turn my freezer over each year with a few big fish fries with friends and at work. At any given time I’ll have 25-30 packs in the freezer. Mostly crappie but I’ll also have some striper, black bass, catfish, and perch.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com