What to do with wipers

[dubob]

Wipers are fun to catch, but are not high on most peoples list of edible fish species.  However, I found a recipe that makes for a very good tasting fish stew that I think would be perfect for wiper meat.  The recipe names 3 different flakey, solid, white meat fish, but I think wiper would substitute nicely after the nasty blood line just under the skin is removed.  This recipe was developed for an Instant Pot and since I have one, I tried it.  It is one the very best recipes I've tried that uses fish as the meat.  My first batch was made with store bought tilapia.  I am going to make my second batch with wiper.

Here is a link to the recipe.  Give it a go and let the board know what you think about it.

Instant Pot Mediterranean-Style Fish Stew (Low FODMAP, Whole30) - Good Noms, Honey!

[BearLakeFishGuy]

If you clean wipers and remove the fat (red meat) with a simple slice of a fillet knife, most people could not tell whether they were eating walleye or wiper. I tried this out and cut chunks of meat so I couldn't see the shape of the fillet, then my wife cooked both identically and gave both to me without me knowing which fish chunks were from wiper or walleye. I literally could not tell a difference. Anyway, when you add fish to your "death-wells" on the boat, bleed them out immediately, keep them cold, and then fillet them properly to remove any fat (which contributes to a "fishy" flavor) and then eat-up! By the way, your recipe sounds great, but I prefer grilled fish or pan-fried (not deep-fried) fish with minimal breading.

[wormandbobber]

Wiper and striper fillets (without the red meat) is some of the best fish I have ever eaten. I would put it up against halibut or any other white fish flesh.

[dubob]

By the way, your recipe sounds great, but I prefer grilled fish or pan-fried (not deep-fried) fish with minimal breading.

I think if you try it, you will see the light.  

[Paddler]

By the way, your recipe sounds great, but I prefer grilled fish or pan-fried (not deep-fried) fish with minimal breading.

I think if you try it, you will see the light.  

The red meat is not fat, it's slow twich muscle, which is rich in mitochondria.  Fat cells are filled mostly with fat, of course, which is typically white.

We use wipers for fish tacos, which are excellent.  After trimming the red meat, of course.

[richyd4u]

Wiper/Striper/White bass are some of the best tasting fish you can eat out there, you just have to know how to fillet them correctly by removing the red meat. Make excellent fish tacos!

[brookie]

The recipe must be great if you can make store bought Tilapia edible.

[beerbatterbum]

Our favorite non-fried non-grilled fish recipe is a baked Mediterranean dish. We use white fish or salmon. Halve some cherry tomatoes and Kalamata olives and cover bottom of baking dish, add chopped onion and garlic, s&p, thyme, oregano, drizzle with olive oil, bake at 400 for 10min. Then layer fish on top, s&p, paprika, chili flakes, drizzle more olive oil, bake another 12min. Serve with couscous or rice.

[dubob]

Using the wiper this time, it did NOT disappoint!

   

[wiperhunter2]

Using the wiper this time, it did NOT disappoint!

   

After seeing your pic I guess we do have one of those instant pots. Stew looks good too.

[Mildog]

Totally agree with Scott!! Wiper are excellent eating fish!, bleeding and trimming the red meat does make a difference. Striper and wiper both are excellent Blackened by the way way and much healthier than deep frying. If you like fried fish use your favorite recipe with chunks of trimmed wiper. If it’s not excellent you are doing something wrong!!
I’ve fed so many people wiper and or striper in the same meal and everybody loved the fish and had no idea they were eating SMB, Crappie, Walleye all prepped and cooked same way! Thru said it was all great didn’t eve. Realize there was different fish in the mix!
The same people would say I don’t like striper to eat!!
Go to a seafood market and see what the charge for striper fillets! It is a prime fish! Wiper closely related. A lady I used to work with who loved to fish and eat fish, when I brought her some wiper the first time she said they won’t be any left when people find out how good these taste!! ?
She was always asking for more!

[dubob]

While the link says 6 servings at 201 calories, I recalculated to 4 servings at 300 calories.  Either way, way more healthy than fried.  

[Saltslam]

A guy could also release them and catch them again later when they have grown a bit more. Being a hybrid there is only so many in the lake while some of the other species reproduce and stunt. Given the choice I'd take smallies or walleye (or trout from a mountain reservoir or stream for that matter) if I wanted a fish dinner, but to each their own.

[dubob]

A guy could also release them and catch them again later when they have grown a bit more. Being a hybrid there is only so many in the lake while some of the other species reproduce and stunt. Given the choice I'd take smallies or walleye (or trout from a mountain reservoir or stream for that matter)  if I wanted a fish dinner, but to each their own.

The two I caught and kept this year for fish stew were both over 21" in length.  So far in 2025, the Utah DNR has stocked 379,150 wipers state wide and 5,001 in Willard.  I'm pretty sure my two from Willard Bay didn't have a significant impact on the overall population of wipers in there.  

The DNR has established a limit on wipers state wide at 3 per angler per day (except Newcastle which is 2 per day).  To my way of thinking, that is a good indication that the state actually expects folks to keep some.  And, I'm 99.999% confidant that the DNR will stock more in Willard going forward.  But, to each their own.  ?

[PACKFAN]

Wipers are fun to catch, but are not high on most peoples list of edible fish species.  However, I found a recipe that makes for a very good tasting fish stew that I think would be perfect for wiper meat.  The recipe names 3 different flakey, solid, white meat fish, but I think wiper would substitute nicely after the nasty blood line just under the skin is removed.  This recipe was developed for an Instant Pot and since I have one, I tried it.  It is one the very best recipes I've tried that uses fish as the meat.  My first batch was made with store bought tilapia.  I am going to make my second batch with wiper.

Here is a link to the recipe.  Give it a go and let the board know what you think about it.

Instant Pot Mediterranean-Style Fish Stew (Low FODMAP, Whole30) - Good Noms, Honey!

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I throw them back as I dont care to eat them

[dubob]

I throw them back as I dont care to eat them

If you tried them in my stew recipe you might change your mind. 

[wiperhunter2]

Looks good Bob, I will for sure give it a try but I might use perch or walleye, wipers are too bony

[Mildog]

My wife and I love soups and stews . I make a lot of cream based fish chowder that we love. I use my instapot for everything ! I’m definitely going to try that recipe soon for a change of pace ! It looks delicious! I’m sure we will love it !

[Paddler]

Looks good Bob, I will for sure give it a try but I might use perch or walleye, wipers are too bony

Wipers have the same skeletal structure as walleye, the bones are just a bit more robust.  I fillet them the same way.

[wiperhunter2]

Looks good Bob, I will for sure give it a try but I might use perch or walleye, wipers are too bony

Wipers have the same skeletal structure as walleye, the bones are just a bit more robust.  I fillet them the same way.

I guess we all have our own tastes, that can be different but the bigger bones, plus the taste, just turns me off on eating them and yes, i always cut out the red flesh, still too strong but this stew recipe makes me think about giving them another try.