54 Nebraskaland • November 2025
MIXED BAG
Those who catch fi sh in winter often profess there is no
better-tasting fi llet of a given species than one harvested
through a hole in the ice.
But why is it that a fi sh caught in January is often favored
table fare over one harvested in August?
Late in summer, the water is often loaded with vegetation,
algae and small organisms which can fi nd their way into the
fi llets in a "you-are-what-you-eat" sort of way. Some develop
a "muddy" taste in these conditions. Another reason often
cited is that colder temperatures tighten the muscles of fi sh,
resulting in fi rmer fl esh.
While there's not much you can do for those factors,
perhaps the most important aspect infl uencing fi sh taste is
something within the angler's control.
As with all pursuits that involve harvesting natural
resources, much of it comes down to how things are cared for
from fi eld to table. Obviously, the taste of a fi sh left to sit on
the fl oor of the boat on a 100-degree afternoon will not hold
up as well as one that is chucked onto the ice for the duration
of a hardwater trip.
It's not as easy to give proper care to meat on a sweltering
day of summer as it is in the cold of winter, but it can be done
with just one step. Putting fi sh in a cooler loaded with ice
helps ward off the enzymes and bacteria that cause spoilage
and negatively aff ect fi sh taste. It's something people should
do anyway, since it's illegal to move water from Nebraska's
lakes, ponds, rivers and streams, whether it's in a livewell,
bucket or something else. Not only does putting fi sh on clean
ice help improve the taste, it also helps combat the spread of
invasive aquatic species.
Thankfully, though, we're entering the time that we
can enjoy the conveniences of the big "cooler," or perhaps
"freezer," that is Nebraska's outdoors. Enjoy the harvest and
respect the resource.
FISHY FISH
By Justin Haag
Putting a fi sh on clean ice not only helps improve the taste but also combats the spread of invasive aquatic species.
JUSTIN HAAG, NEBRASKALAND
A look at the science of why they taste better from cold water
