There’s nothing quite like the experience of catching your own trout while camping and then cooking it over an open fire under the stars. Not only is it satisfying to harvest and cook your own food, but freshly caught trout prepared simply with basic camp cooking methods can be absolutely delicious.
Cooking trout you caught yourself takes some skill though. You need to know how to properly catch, clean, and cook the fish so you end up with a safe and tasty meal. This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, from reeling in your catch to enjoying a flawless flaky fillet. Follow these camping trout cooking tips and you’ll become a trout camp chef in no time!
How to Cook Trout Camping?
Catching and cooking your own freshly caught trout is one of the most enjoyable parts of camping. Start by gathering your fishing rod, tackle, and other cleaning/cooking supplies. Catch trout in the early morning or evening using small lures or bait. Once you’ve caught your fish, clean it by slicing off the head and filleting the meat off the bones. Prepare the fillets simply with seasoning or marinade. Then cook over the campfire by grilling directly on a grate, frying in a pan, or baking wrapped in foil packets. Cook until fish flakes easily. Check internal temperature for doneness. Enjoy your mouthwatering campfire trout with sides like potatoes or veggies!
Safety First
Before you embark on your quest for the perfect campfire trout dinner, make sure you brush up on any required fishing licenses and regulations for the body of water you’ll be fishing. Safety should also be your top priority. Let others know where you’ll be and when you expect to return. Also be sure to pack a well-stocked first aid kit.
Additionally, thoroughly cook any freshwater fish caught to an internal temperature of at least 145°F to kill potentially harmful parasites and bacteria. Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness.
Gearing Up
Having the right gear will make catching, cleaning, and cooking trout while camping much easier. Here are some must-have items to include in your camping kit:
- Fishing rod, reel, tackle, and bait/lures
- Fillet knife or small sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Portable camp stove and fuel
- Cast iron skillet or grill grate you can place over the campfire
- Aluminum foil
- Meat thermometer
Matches/lighter
- Firewood and fire starters
- Biodegradable soap and sanitizing wipes
- Ziplock bags
- Cooler with ice
Catching Your Trout
You probably already have your own trusted trout fishing strategies, but basic tips include using small spinners, spoons, and crankbaits. Focus on fishing at dawn or dusk near riverbanks, in tributaries, and near structure that provides cover. Set your drag lightly so fighting trout don’t break free. Once you’ve reeled in your catch, dispatch it quickly with a sharp blow to the head.
Cleaning Your Catch
Once you’ve caught your trout, you’ll need to clean it properly to remove scales, guts, and bones.
- Rinse the trout thoroughly in cold water.
- Cut off the head just behind the gills.
- Lay the trout on a clean cutting board and hold in place.
- Using a very sharp fillet knife, slice along the backbone from tail to head.
- Lift away the meat from the bones, cutting carefully to detach the fillet.
- Flip and repeat on the other side to remove the second fillet.
- Rinse fillets and allow to drain in a colander. Pat dry with paper towels.
- Discard the carcass, head, tail, guts, and bones. Keep the delicious meaty fillets for cooking.
Preparing and Cooking Your Trout Fillet
Now comes the best part – cooking your freshly caught trout over the campfire! Trout fillets can be prepared using several quick and easy camping cooking methods. Consider the options below and experiment to find your favorites.
Grilled:
One of the easiest preparation methods is to simply grill the trout fillets over the open fire.
- Prepare grill grate and allow campfire to burn down to hot coals.
- Brush fillets lightly with olive oil or melted butter and season as desired.
- Place fillets skin-side-down on hot grill.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes until lightly browned.
- Flip carefully and cook 2-3 minutes more until fish flakes easily with a fork.
Foil Wrapped:
Cooking trout sealed in aluminum foil packets allows the fillets to steam gently and absorbs extra flavor.
- Place each fillet on a large piece of heavy duty foil.
- Dot with pats of butter and sprinkle with seasoning.
- Bring up foil sides and double fold top and ends to seal packet, leaving room inside for steam circulation.
- Place packet directly on hot coals or lay on grill grate.
- Cook 15 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
Pan Fried:
For a crispy browned crust, try frying the trout fillets in a little oil in a cast iron skillet at the campsite.
- Heat a thin layer of olive oil in a cast iron skillet over hot campfire coals.
- Season fillets with salt, pepper, and other spices or herbs.
- When oil is hot, add fillets and fry roughly 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Use a spatula to flip fillets carefully halfway through cooking.
Baked:
Baking is another simple and flavorful trout cooking method if you have access to a portable oven or reflector oven at your campsite.
- Preheat portable oven or place campfire cast iron skillet inside a reflector oven to heat.
- Arrange foil-lined baking pan or foil packets of seasoned trout fillets inside.
- Bake at 350°F until fish is opaque and flakes easily, about 15-20 minutes.
Maximize Flavor
Beyond the basic preparation, there are endless ways to add more flavor and flair to your campfire trout. Get creative with rubs, marinades, stuffings, and sauce toppings.
- Stuff fillets with lemon slices and fresh herbs.
- Marinate in a Ziplock bag with olive oil, garlic, and citrus juice before cooking.
- Brush on barbecue sauce or pesto sauce during the last 5 minutes of grilling.
- Top cooked fish with fresh salsa, compound butter, or caramelized onions.
Doneness and Food Safety
It can be tricky gauging doneness, especially when cooking over a live campfire. Follow these tips for success:
- Opt for thicker fillets, as thin fish overcooks quickly.
- Rely on an instant-read thermometer to check for 145°F.
- Try the “flake test” by separating a sliver of fish with a fork once it appears opaque.
- Err on the side of undercooking, as you can always cook a bit longer if needed.
Eating Your Catch
Once your freshly caught trout are cooked to flaky perfection, it’s time to relax and feast waterside! Having a few sides and garnishes ready will make your meal complete.
- Pair with campfire roasted potatoes or grilled vegetables.
- Add some fresh salad greens.
- Serve with lemon wedges, tartar sauce, or hot sauce.
- Enjoy with a crisp side of beer or wine (if permitted).
- Prepare campfire cornbread or foil packet dessert to end your meal.
Storing Leftovers
If you do end up with leftover cooked trout fillets, here are some storage tips:
- Allow fish to cool completely, then transfer to an ice-filled cooler.
- When back home from camping, store in air-tight container in fridge for up to 3 days.
- Frozen leftovers will keep for 2-3 months in airtight freezer bags.
Mastering the trout catch and cook while camping is a rewarding experience. With the proper preparation and cooking techniques, you can enjoy the ultimate fresh trout meal in the outdoors. Just follow this guide and you’ll become a trout camp chef extraordinaire in no time!
Fresh Mountain Trout
Here is a table highlighting the essence of fresh mountain trout:
| Highlight | Description |
|---|---|
| Pristine Waters | Caught in cool, clear streams and alpine lakes. |
| Light Delicate Flesh | Bright orange or pink flesh that is tender and flaky when cooked. |
| Mild Sweet Flavor | Subtle mildly sweet taste without fishiness. |
| High in Omegas | Rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids. |
| Sustainably Caught | Populations monitored and caught using responsible practices. |
| Quick Cooking | Fillets cook fast over a campfire or grill. |
| Versatile Ingredients | Takes well to herbs, spices, lemon, butter, and other flavorings. |
| Satisfying Experience | Rewarding to catch yourself and cook streamside. |
| Perfect for Camping | Easy to pack, prepare, and cook outdoors. |
Step-by-step Guide To Skillet Steaming
Here is an informative table for the step-by-step guide to skillet steaming fresh mountain trout:
| Step | Instructions | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Select Fresh Trout | – Caught same day is best <br>- Clean and gut fish thoroughly | – Use tweezers to remove pin bones |
| 2. Heat Skillet | – Place cast iron skillet directly on campfire or stove <br>- Heat to medium-high | – Well-seasoned skillet works best <br>- Even heat distribution |
| 3. Season Trout | – Salt and pepper inside and out generously | – Brings out natural flavors <br>- Enhances taste |
| 4. Add Oil/Butter | – Melt small amount of butter or oil in hot skillet | – Creates non-stick surface <br>- Add flavor |
| 5. Add Trout to Skillet | – Place in single layer in pan <br>- Cover with tight-fitting lid or foil | – Steam environment to cook fish evenly <br>- Retains moisture |
| 6. Steam 10-15 Minutes | – Steam until opaque and flakes easily with fork | – Time varies based on size <br>- Don’t overcook |
| 7. Rest Fish | – Remove from skillet and let rest 3-5 minutes | – Allows juices to redistribute <br>- Keeps fish moist |
| 8. Finish and Serve | – Add fresh herbs, lemon, olive oil | – Heightens flavor <br>- Brings out freshness |
FAQs
Should I scale the trout before filleting?
Scaling is not necessary if you will be removing the skin from the fillets. The scales will come off with the skin.
Can I eat the trout raw like sashimi?
It is not recommended to eat raw trout due to the risk of parasites. Always cook trout fully to an internal temperature of 145°F.
What’s the best way to descale trout if I want to cook them whole?
To descale, hold the trout under running water while using the back of a knife to gently scrape from tail to head.
How long will fresh trout last in a cooler?
Trout fillets should keep about 2 days if kept chilled with ice in a cooler. Use raw within 1 day.
What’s the ideal thickness for trout fillets for grilling or frying?
Cut trout fillets about 1/2-3/4 inch thick. Thinner portions will dry out quickly while thicker is harder to cook through.
Can I freeze cleaned uncooked trout fillets?
Yes, freeze trout fillets in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to freezer bags for up to 4 months.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned angler or new to fishing, preparing your fresh catch into a tasty campfire meal is extremely satisfying. With the proper strategies for cleaning, seasoning, and cooking trout fillets over a fire, anyone can become an expert camp chef. Just follow this guide to master the techniques. Soon you’ll be craving more of that delicious flavor that only freshly caught trout cooked streamside can provide. So grab your gear, bait up, and get ready for your next memorable camping trip involving the ultimate trout feast!
