Otherwise, garfish are notoriously difficult to clean and fillet. This is partially true- but it only applies to the eggs or roe which I mentioned above. I suspect the main reason more people don’t eat gar is due to the angler rumors that it’s poisonous. See Also: Lake Livingston Texas…Alligator Gar Capital of Texas? Why Don’t More People Eat Gar? In other areas, they may not be safe to eat due to human consumption advisories. In some states and on certain bodies of water Alligator Gar are protected, and must be released immediately. In states like Texas and Louisiana, Alligator Gar has a robust commercial and recreational fishery.Īlways check with your state’s local fishing regulations. The Alligator Gar is the largest of all the North American gar fish, capable of reaching 8 feet long and nearly 300 pounds! If I were you, I’d staw away from eating the eggs but certainly give the fillets a try! Can You Eat Alligator Gar?Īlligator Gar is not only a popular sportfish, but it is also considered by many to be very good to eat. Although deaths are rare from eating gar eggs, it is still not advised. The eggs of all 7 species of garfish contain an ichthyotoxin, which means they can be harmful if ingested by humans or animals. I reckon if you season them with butter, a bit of salt or old bay, and lightly poach or pan-fry they might just taste like lobster! Can You Eat Gar Fish Eggs And this is because the long white meat fillets resemble that of a lobster tail. Does Gar Taste Like Lobster?Īdvocates of eating gar have claimed its ‘poor mans lobster’ or ‘freshwater lobster’. In general, when properly cleaned and filleted, and cooked to the desired flavor or recipe, gar is a perfectly acceptable and tasty fish to eat.
For example, some people LOVE swordfish- and I despise it! Some folks describe the meat as tasting ‘ gamey‘, ‘ muddy‘ and the consistency can be ‘ stringy‘ (especially if overcooked).īut, like all wild game and fish, the taste is often a byproduct of preparation and subjective to the user. The fillets are long and dense, with dark meat near the bloodline and while meat near the outer muscle. The meat from a gar is typically firm in texture and some say it has a flavor similar to chicken.
However, this only applies to the meat Do not eat the eggs as they contain an ichthyotoxin that can be harmful if ingested. Although they are not generally accepted as high-quality table fare, all 7 species of gar fish native to North America are edible and safe to eat.
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