Fishing for food, how,where,what?

[linz2882]

Hi all. Recently I've been interested in the idea of going fishing for my dinner. I've never done it before and have a few questions. Is it safe? I'm worried about eating anything wild in case it's polluted. What can you eat? Whats out there? I'm herts/beds border, what sort of thing can you find in lakes, rivers etc.? Is there anything you can trap or do you need a fishing rod to catch everything. I know I'm a schmuck, but I'm quite keen!

Thanks - Linz

[Green Aura]

I'm really interested in this too, although my interest is sea fishing - by that I mean hanging over the golf course wall with hook, line and sinker!.

I've just bought a line, some hooks and another thread (I think) showed me how to make shiny things to attract mackerel.

I'm on the north coast of Scotland - can I catch mackerel yet? And maybe some sea bass?

Can't wait to give it a go. I'll watch your responses eagerly.


Edited to apologise to linz2882 for hijacking your thread. If the mods want to start a new thread with this I'm happy.

[Millymollymandy]

I think your posting is OK to stay put GA!

I've never fished, only watched other people (zzzzzzzzz ) but all I know is that brown trout from lakes and disused gravel pits can be unpleasantly muddy tasting.

[linz2882]

I'm quite happy to share!

[fungi2bwith]

Hi all. Recently I've been interested in the idea of going fishing for my dinner. I've never done it before and have a few questions. Is it safe? I'm worried about eating anything wild in case it's polluted. What can you eat? Whats out there? I'm herts/beds border, what sort of thing can you find in lakes, rivers etc.? Is there anything you can trap or do you need a fishing rod to catch everything. I know I'm a schmuck, but I'm quite keen!

Thanks - Linz

Many freshwater fish are edible, I have eaten, pike, carp, eels, perch, zander, bream, roach, gudgeon, rainbow trout, brown trout. As someone else mentioned, they can be muddy tasting from some lakes. I have found clear well oxygenated lakes, canals and rivers capable of producing tasty fish. It should be noted that most lakes and ponds will be privately owned and you therefore need permission to fish and take fish. You are allowed to take fish from rivers using rod and line though there are often limits controlled by bylaws. Free stetches of river are best as club controlled stretches will probably prohibit taking of fish. A couple of things to note:
1. It is the close season for course fishing rivers from the 15th March to the 15th June.
2. Be discreet as there is some serious opposition to taking course fish (most course fisherman put back there catches) which has been exacerbated by Eastern Europeans reportedly illegally netting and laying fixed lines for fish and supposedly reducing stocks (though this undoubtedly happens, I expect this has been exagerated in the press).

Garry

PS
Fish always taste better when you've caught them yourself

[linz2882]

Thank you!

[Finlander]

I have eaten pike and Perch from the canal in Hertfordshire and they have tasted great. I can reccomend smoking on Alder chips. Have you thought about creyfish? the environment agency are keen for trappers to responsibly help deal with the infestation of signal creys, An American visitor that is harming the native populations. They are fantastic eating as long as you keep them a couiple of days in fresh water to flush their sysrtems out. With removing fish, there are size and quantity limits. I the Thames region a perch must be over 22cm nose to tail and a pike 60cm. All regs are available from the environment agency website...Enjoy