Orange fleshed catfish

[Brittany Chukarman]

I've processed 1000's of catfish and never seen this before. The picture doesn't do it justice but this fish was as orange fleshed as a shrimp fed trout or king salmon. When I netted it and bled it I noticed it had an unusual golden hue to it. it went home with my fisherman for the day but I wish I would have kept a loin to see if it had a different taste. He'll let me know.

 

[Nick87]

Be curious to see what he says.

 

[steveshuntn1]

I see that a lot from the fish I catch out of the MS river…it’s usually the 5lb or less fish. That water is always muddy. I’m not sure if that has anything to do with it, but an old timer fishing off the dock said it did! Then again another guy told me it was from eating corn that gets spilled when they fill the barges.
I soak them in salty ice water overnight in the fridge. They taste fine.

 

[R.K.]

I've seen a fair amount of channel cats with meat that color. Normally only happens when they come from places with a lot of shad. I mean a LOT of shad.

 

[Don Fischer]

Well I would not eat it till I saw someone else eat it and live first.