Thread: Mushy Crappie

Throw them in a cooler of ice instead of livewell.

I do prefer fresh over frozen.
Also prefer winter over summer.


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An ice water slush with salt thrown in will keep them firm.

I always wash my fillets and cover with water and add salt and let them set in the fridge over night then wash off real good and freeze em in water or have kept em in the fridge a couple days if going to cook them fresh but keep the water changed daily and don’t add salt after 1st night ! Approx 1/4 cup salt to 1 gallon bowl of water/fillets ! If only a few fillets i use a teaspoon or so ! They are always firm when I do this !

Originally Posted by Ricko54

I've eaten Crappie caught through the ice without complaints. I've never eaten summer caught Crappie because everyone I've talked with say they're mushy during the summer and not worth keeping here in Michigan.

Now I'd like to give them a try this summer, so I'm reaching out to you folks to find out which is the best way to prepare them to reduce the mushyness.

I am not sure hot your waters get in Michigan in the Summer, but on July 28th last year I caught these fish in deep water of course but the surface temperatures that day were over 90. Do what these guys have stated with ice and salt water and your fillets will be firm and tasty. Ice is your friend in the summer, and freezing your own to add to the live well or bucket is free and will go a long way in keeping your fish fresh.

Cut the fillets into strips/smaller pieces and they will fry up crispier.

we often use a slush in the ice chest in the summer time , just ice and water though ....
got to keep them chilled good for sure ....during the filleting as well ....
right from the slush to a bowl of slush ice with the fillets
and right in the frig when you are done
any deviation in that in the hot part of the year will result in soft meat ....