Transporting Filets

Ok, so i’m going to URL for a two weekend vacation wtih my 8yo daughter, first one in 30 years. I’m cranked, so to speak.

And, let’s presume for the sake of argument that we catch our 4 walleyes and 3 northerns and leave the skin patches on the filets.

Well, i want to freeze those fish as we go thru the week. Can’t see leaving them on ice.

The resort i used to go to had a freezer box for each cabin and you were responsible for not having more than your limit in your cardboard box. That was Kabetogama as recently as two years ago.

The place i’ve got reservations on URL won’t freeze them or even refer me to a freezing service…

Anyone have any insight on this conundrum???

Dry ice? ive never used but i know weve had fish shipped to us from alaska that were on dry ice they seemed to be frozen still?

Dry ice?

Thought the same thing lol

I know that statewide the most URL eyes you can have in possession is 4 total…at any time, fresh off the water, or in the freezer at home. If you consume them on the water (ice fishing) I believe you have to keep the carcass for measurement. I don’t think this applies to resorts, cabins, or campsites if you’re having a fish fry but you should check with the DNR to be 100% sure.

Barring bad weather, I don’t see any reason to suspect you wouldn’t easily fill a limit or two on your last fishing day to take home with you on ice…never failed to before

Are you staying at Rogers? If not, you may want to give their resort a shout for more advice…they’re incredibly helpful.

Checked with the state and there is no prohibition against carrying frozen filets according to the lady in enforcement i talked with. And there is no problem with keeping partial limits during your vacation.

Have the resorts ceased to offer freezing services because of the over limit problem???

Did find out that you are not supposed to cut your filets into pieces even if they are in the same bag and they suggest freezing them one fish per bag.

we’ve got our reservation with Mort’s, but i may give Rogers a call…

A good yeti cooler with lots of ice will hold those fillets for 2 weeks no problem. Just drain the water every couple days and add more ice. Make sure you wash those fillets real well before you freeze or you will have a slimeball.

Whatever you do, keep the skin on! You can transport up to your possession limit whether they are frozen or not. The problem comes in if you have a length limit on that lake. If there is a length limit you need to leave the fish (northern and musky) intact so the wardens know they are of legal length. Fillets wont do it. Says so right in the regs.

If the limit is 4 total, then why are you needing to freeze? Just throw the last 8 fish caught on ice for the trip home. You cant keep 4 every day if you are going to freeze them, have to eat them every day or you will be over your limit whether frozen or not.

i was really only concerned about the over slot fish as i don’t expect to catch a lot of those and when i went to find a freezing service, was surprised to find everyone gun shy…

Probably dont give out information like that for fear that people will freeze a limit every day and take home way over their limit. Get a reputation of clients getting busted for over limit every week and your business goes downhill quick.

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Ok, so i’m going to URL for a two weekend vacation wtih my 8yo daughter, first one in 30 years. I’m cranked, so to speak.

And, let’s presume for the sake of argument that we catch our 4 walleyes and 3 northerns and leave the skin patches on the filets.

Well, i want to freeze those fish as we go thru the week. Can’t see leaving them on ice.

The resort i used to go to had a freezer box for each cabin and you were responsible for not having more than your limit in your cardboard box. That was Kabetogama as recently as two years ago.

The place i’ve got reservations on URL won’t freeze them or even refer me to a freezing service…

Anyone have any insight on this conundrum???

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It shouldn’t be to hard to get your 4 walleye on the last day or two there.

As far as Pike….URL is a trophy Pike fishery because of the huge CPR mentality on Red. If they are legal length it is your right to harvest them but I would plead with you and all other fisherman to continue the CPR mentality on Red’s Pike so we can all continue to enjoy the trophy quality Pike out there.

Keep 8 in on/in ice for the ride home, and eat plenty while you are up there. I don’t see what there is to think about here.

http://redlakenationfoods.com/index.cfm/freshwater-fish

If you are concerned about it maybe that link is a better approach.

Read the state regs and it’s interesting. You can freeze the filets, but you have to keep the carcass in one piece so it can be measured.

wade-might eat a 24′ pike or two, but all else go back. you can go back to sleep. i’m a plastic mount guy…

looks like i’ll just keep a cooler of ice and take home our last two days of fish…

Stu,

If you haven’t been to Red before, I’d definitely give Roger’s a call. I’ve not been to Mort’s and I’m sure it’s nice, but Roger’s is pretty tough to beat. The boat launch is in a very protected channel where Mort’s is right on the main lake and the water is shallow. If there is wind and waves coming in, you’ll have a tough time getting the boat off and on the trailer.
Roger’s also has a brand spanking new lodge building with showers, toilets, game tables, pizza ovens, bottled beer, etc. I was only in there for 5 minutes last week to buy a launch pass, but thought the place looked great!

Mike

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If the limit is 4 total, then why are you needing to freeze? Just throw the last 8 fish caught on ice for the trip home. You cant keep 4 every day if you are going to freeze them, have to eat them every day or you will be over your limit whether frozen or not.

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This. Its not going to take you a week to get your limit. Took us about 4 hours last Sat for a 3 man limit. You’d have to fish in a toilet not to catch eyes up there.

Well, i’m planning on eating walleye most every day. Trying to find 4-5 recipes so my daughter doesn’t get bored…
1. deep fried
2. baked (gas camp oven)
3. chowder
4. sauteed in garlic butter

I’m planning on doing as much cooking as fishing!!

Stu –

Another recipe that is a camp favorite(and is wuite healthy as well) is:

Take some fresh carrots, green peppers, onions,
put them in a sauce pan and add 1/4″ of water. Cover and steam for a bit. Season a walleye fillet and lay the fillet on top of the veggies and re-cover. Let steam until fish flakes….usually a few minutes.

Put the whole mess into a large tortilla shell with a little butter and seasoned salt.

Very tasty and healthy…..

No doubt that Rogers is a nice place. But i do not believe that they don’t take campers anymore in the open water months. I do believe it is seasonal only. I have stayed at Morts every year on Memorial for the past 8 years. ROgers does allow the public to launch there for a protected option from large north winds.