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Source: https://outdoors.stackexchange.com/q/4850
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

<p>I am getting into fishing (I bought an entry-level spinner and plan on going to some nearby rivers/lakes) and have been reading a lot of conflicting information in regards to the sequence of events that transpire from the time you catch the fish, to the time you eat it.</p>

<p>Obviously, first you must catch the fish, which as a newbie will probably be a bit difficult for me. Once I catch my first fish and determine that it's of legal size and is a species I'd like to eat, then I need to immediately begin preparing it.</p>

<p>I've read that bleeding fish (cutting the gills) helps remove the gamey odor that a lot of fish have, as well as removing certain undesirable toxins.</p>

<p>But what do I do if I'm not done fishing yet? What if it's still early in the day and I want to keep fishing for a few more hours? Obviously then, I need a way of preserving the fish so that it doesn't taint before I even get home. The thing is, I don't like the idea of keeping a fish alive once I catch it. Not judging others, just personally would rather kill it as soon as I catch it and put it out of the stress/misery of being caught &amp; wounded.</p>

<p>So, given everything I've read, I'm wondering if my following solution is viable, and if not, why:</p>

<ol>
<li>Catch the fish, and kill it immediately (probably a knife through its brain is what I've found to be the quickest/humane method)</li>
<li>Bleed the fish, totally</li>
<li>Throw it in a cooler full of ice, and continue fishing</li>
<li>When I get home, clean/fillet it</li>
</ol>

<p>The only thing I'm worried about here is that perhaps the fish will somehow spoil from the time I throw it on ice, to the time I get home (which should never be longer than 6 - 8 hours). Ideas? </p>