Hagen's Top 10 Fish to Eat! This is NOT a debate! : )

Ahoy, fishing friends! If you’ve ever reeled in a whopper and wondered, “Will this fillet make my dinner plate and my ego look good?” — worry no more. Here’s a Hagen's ranking of the Top 10 Best Fish to Eat, perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who love swapping fish stories, comparing scales, and maybe arguing fiercely about #4 vs. #5. I’ve ordered it so you can debate with your buddies (yes, I see you, boat-mates).

1. Halibut

The monarch of the dinner-plate fish. Firm white flesh, mild flavor, and enough fillet to feed your whole fishing crew (or just you, no shame). Nutritionally it delivers on all levels, but the reason Halibut is in the top spot is it's undeniable flavor profile and versatility!  Grill it like a steak with a good rub, saute it in butter, wrap it in foil with an amazing array of veggies and olives, or just batter and deep fry like normal people do.  Basically: you catch halibut, you cook halibut, you proclaim victory. If someone is brave enough to proclaim a disdain for eating fish...bring them this and change their mind.

What's your preference? Atlantic halibut or Pacific halibut?

2. Crappie

Time to head closer to home waters. Crappie often gets overlooked in the “big game” talk, but pan-fried crappie? Delicious. We have friends who will not eat fish unless we cook up some crappie bites as appetizers, then they are suddenly a fish fiend with tartar sauce all over their face!  It's number two for a reason, a light, delicate, sweet flesh that makes some of the best-eating fish in freshwater.  Amazing as tacos, or just breaded and fried on a platter.  If you find a school of crappie, better catch em while you can, otherwise someone else will!  

3. Walleye

Here in the Midwest/Great Lakes region, walleye is king. It hits the trifecta: good taste, good sport, and bragging rights. One writer calls it “an excellent source of protein… a great addition to your diet.” Walleye is the best cooked over an open fire in the backcounrty or as shore lunch on the banks of your favorite river/reservoir.  Breaded, grilled, poached, steamed, baked...it doesn't matter how you cook it, its pretty dang good every time.  If you’ve ever lit up the grill after a marble eye takes your jig, you know what we mean.  

Bonus points for those playing at home if you keep the cheeks for walleye cheek chowder!

4. Salmon/trout

This is a two-for!  Okay, yes, we’re bringing in the “fancier” ocean/sea game, because a fishing-enthusiast buffet needs variety. Salmon is up there in terms of nutritional bang (omega-3s, protein) and flavor, and better be on every serious anglers top 10 fish to eat!  Now, the only debate is whether wild-caught and farmed salmon deserve to be on a plate together.  We say NO!  Wild only all day long!! 

Trout on the other hand are freshwater magic. Whether you’re casting small stream flies or trolling lakes, trout is there. The flavor? Mild but firm. Prepares beautifully over an open fire with some butter, salt and pepper.  Touted by many as one of the best freshwater fish to eat.  

Pro tip:  Butterfly your trout, remove the skin, and cover the fillet in tender quick and pepper.  Smoke the trout fillets over your favorite wood for 4-6 hours and get a product that resembles bacon!!  For this, we will settle for pellet heads.   

5.  Bluegill

I think most anglers would have us battered and deep fried if we didn't include one of the most popular panfish species on the planet!  The very angler friendly bluegill has been feeding people for generations.  Eat them whole (fish chip tails!) or fillet them up for some of the best battered fish you'll ever eat.  Out of the water, and straight into the frying pan.  Just don't keep the big males or you'll destroy your big fish population.  Keep all the females you can!  

6. Perch (Yellow or White)

A perch coming over the side of the boat, or through an ice hole, is like Pavlov's dog to a seasoned fish eater.  Just the though of cooking up some fresh perch makes us salivate instantly!  Best when 8-12 inches in length, and always better fresh.  Bring your favorite batter, and cook up some shore lunch for the kids.  You will be the hero of the day, and will have young people one step closer to a life-long obsession! The next question is...“Perch fingers or walleye fingers — which is the true shore lunch king?”

7. Cod

Atlantic or Pacific cod: a classic white-fish choice. Firm but flaky, easy to cook for friends and family. And one of the easiest ocean species to catch.  They live in massive schools and will gobble up any silly presentation you put in front of them.  Always best to eat these fresh cooked in butter with salt, pepper, and a few onions.  A plate of cod will not last long, so make sure you have plenty to feed everyone two or three times over.  

8. Mackerel

Now we’re getting into fish with more character. Mackerel is richer, has more oil/fat (which equals flavor), and if you like bold taste, this is it. Just be aware of the stronger fish-flavor profile. Great for Mackerel tacos!

9. Channel Catfish

It's not a delicacy all throughout the south for nothing!  Fresh catfish is hard to beat, especially when caught in a clear tailwater fishery or deep water reservoir.  These fish are not only one of the best fighting freshwater fish on the planet, but they are one of the tastiest too.  We will battle anyone that disagrees! 

10. Bass (freshwater)

To round out the list: largemouth, smallmouth, white...whatever your local bass species is. Yes, you catch a ton of them for sport. And yes, while they may not always be top tier in flavor compared to walleye or halibut, a well-handled bass fillet battered and cooked in butter is a delight. So many childhood evenings enjoyed on the shores of a stockdam doing a catch and cook!  Nutritionally, freshwater bass pulls its weight, too.  Is the 10 spot too low for one of America's favorite species?  Let us know!  

What did we get right, and where did we go wrong?  Let us know on facebook or in the comments below!  Thanks for hanging with Hagen's!  Good fishing.