Parasites in bluegills - PA

[Steelbanger]

Yesterday I caught & filleted a bunch of bluegills and when I was down to the last 2 or 3 fish I noticed what looked like fat deposits in the fillet I was doing. I cut one of these spots out with the tip of the knife and when I put it on the bench it moved, looked like some kind of worm. Didn't keep that fish but brought the rest home and gave them a very good eyeballing. Many of them had one or two of these spots embedded in the flesh so we threw the entire batch out.

A Google search for bluegill parasites turned up this Q & A session from the Pennsylvania Fish Commission.

   http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/qw_worms.htm

Bluegill fillets have been our favorite fish for many years but it looks like it'll be a long time before we try any after yesterdays experience.

Anyone else ever see these parasites?

[myronman3]

alot of lakes around here have them in the fillets.  if the fish has alot of them i use them for fertilizer; a few and i dont worry so much.  as long as you cook them all the way through you are o.k.

[freddogs]

The site is right. Tose yellow grubs don't have any special flavor and don't change the taste of the fish. I wouldn't eat them raw however. They do look pretty gross. I like all my fish cooked.