How to Filet a Fish

Hi, my name is Jake Schutte. I help people properly and safely prepare a great meal. Today I am going to give you the knowledge to perform a skill that every outdoorsman needs to have. I have four easy steps to teach you how to clean a fish. Knowing how to clean your own fish will save you both time and money.

The first step is to prepare all the tools needed which include: an electric fillet knife or if one is not available use non-electric fillet knife, a bowl of the appropriate size for the amount of fish that are being fileted, a role of napkins or paper towels and a surface to filet the fish on. Make sure everything is properly organized and in reach for the following process. 

The second step in this process is to lay out your fish upon your cutting surface. Make sure the fish is laying flat on one side and is perpendicular to your body. 

 lay the fish on its side and cut behind the gill plate in front of the fin on its side down about halfway through the fish

run your filet knife along the edge of the backbone down to the tail. 

Cut flat along the skin and cut the filet off of the skin

cut along the rib cage to remove the ribs from the meat

Put all your meat into a bowl for later

Enjoy this video teaching you how to clean a fish