23 replies to this topic

[dbao]

Hi, I've managed to catch a lake trout in port dalhousie (lake ontario) is this fish safe to eat? its about 3 feet long

[ChasinTails]

most people will say no its not but its not any safer than fish from walmart or costco so id say yes you can eat it 

[ChasinTails]

but why would you keep it without knowing if you can eat it?

[Christopher K]

No way would I ever keep a 36" fish of any species out of Lake O. Older fish like that have very high concentrations of mercury in them and although it may not kill you they certainly aren't safe to eat. Also, please avoid keeping these larger fish as they are the spawners and we need them to keep the fishery strong.

[troutddicted]

Lakers take forever to grow - a 36" has been around bio accumulating junk for some time.  Still probably healthier than your store bought fish but who knows...  I'll second what ChrisK said - leave the larger fish and keep smaller ones.

[IR4J]

^ x2....

[classic drifter]

just mount it! its a good size trophy,

[DILLIGAF?!]

You are within your rights to keep what you catch (within limit). But that fish, dangerous or not, the meat is past it's prime for eating. 

[dbao]

but why would you keep it without knowing if you can eat it?

bad habit of keeping what i fish? lol, i don't fish often until recently and it was the only thing i managed to catch

[Brian]

As stated before, you are within your legal right to keep your catch. 

These bigger fish are prime spawners and it would be nice if they can be released when caught. And besides, if you like keeping fish, the smaller ones taste better.

[ChasinTails]

bad habit of keeping what i fish? lol, i don't fish often until recently and it was the only thing i managed to catch

just wondering, and yes usually fish between 10 to 24 inches taste best, thats I've found may or may not be the case 

[Shmogley]

As stated before, you are within your legal right to keep your catch. 

These bigger fish are prime spawners and it would be nice if they can be released when caught. And besides, if you like keeping fish, the smaller ones taste better.

what monsters we are. deliberately eating their children

 

in all honesty eat it youll be fine but wouldnt make a habit of it bud.

keep the smaller freshies and let the big guys do the heavy spawning to keep the population rolling

[cptpronin]

You'll survive and it will taste great.  Just wouldn't eat Lake Ontario fish every weekend.

 

36" is a nice chunk of fish!!  Photo?

 

Since you got it chilling in the fridge with the guts out (first thing you did when you got home...), can I suggest baking the fillets wrapped in tinfoil, seasoned with butter, onions, salt, pepper and some dill weed.  350 F in the oven or BBQ for 5 - 10 minutes or until the flesh flakes off with a fork.  Your household will eat like royalty!  p:

[ChasinTails]

can I suggest baking the fillets wrapped in tinfoil, seasoned with butter, onions, salt, pepper and some dill weed.  350 F in the oven or BBQ for 5 - 10 minutes or until the flesh flakes off with a fork.  Your household will eat like royalty!  p:

thanks for the great idea CP i might have to catch something and try it out 

[salmotrutta]

If you want the opinion from someone who's immune system is weak enough to feel the difference between a contaminated fish and a non-contaminated fish:

 

I wouldn't eat a small perch out of Lake O anymore, but I would eat wild caught ocean fish everyday for the rest of my life. 

 

My system is to the point where I wouldn't eat a big mac even if you paid me $20,000 - and I mean that. 

 

If you're healthy, go ahead and eat it - but as mentioned - do not make a habit of eating Lake O fish. 

[classic drifter]

You'll survive and it will taste great. Just wouldn't eat Lake Ontario fish every weekend.

36" is a nice chunk of fish!! Photo?

Since you got it chilling in the fridge with the guts out (first thing you did when you got home...), can I suggest baking the fillets wrapped in tinfoil, seasoned with butter, onions, salt, pepper and some dill weed. 350 F in the oven or BBQ for 5 - 10 minutes or until the flesh flakes off with a fork. Your household will eat like royalty! p:

this guy!!! LOL!!! you got me laughing on the first phrase! for some reason i pictured les stroud of survivor man saying that while trying to stay alive in toronto islands if hes gonna do a show on how to survive there! LOL!!!!!

[Knuguy]

Are you sure it's a trout?Could it be a Chinook? If so, it would be a lot younger than a LT of the same size( 3 ft--really??) so a lot less contaminated.

 

 

BTW, if you are concerned about mercury you need to know that G. Bay fish are also contaminated by naturally occurring mercury that leaches from the rocks. The lesson here is that if you are looking for fish to eat don't come up to G. Bay. Nooo, nooo---best for y'all to stay down there!!   . Kidding aside though, it's true about the mercury---Google it.

[Porkpie]

Something will kill you eventually, that is inevitable. Quite possibly it will be old age that does the deed. I doubt very much it will be a Lake Ontario greaser that does you in. They are not a flavour that I particularly enjoy, but if you do then have at er! Bake them, smoke them, whatever. Don't pay particular mind to those that would make you feel guilty here. Lake Ontario can sustain the loss of a few lakers! Enjoy some responsible harvest, just don't overdo it or abuse the resource! Good luck!

[DILLIGAF?!]

I can guarantee you won't drop dead by eating that fish you just caught...

[DitchWizard]

There is a guide for eating fish in Ontario guys. I am not that familiar with it for lake o but even the smaller lake huron lake trout have to be consumed in moderation. I believe is says only adult males can eat the larger lake trout from lake o and it's suggests only one per year. These fish are far from safe! You can actually see the mercury in the flesh of the big fish. You could endanger the health of you'r wife or kids if you serve them big lake o lakers.


It would in my opinion be much better to simply look up in fish guide if fish are considered safe to eat and how often. No one who responded to this seemed to know that lake Ontario salmon and lake trout can be dangerous to everyone and in particular pregnant women and children.