Delicious Fresh Caught Lake Michigan Coho Salmon

Why do fisherman prefer fresh caught salmon?

It is definitely is more than the just the sport of fishing that keeps people fishing for coho salmon year after year.  Fresh caught coho salmon has a flavor that is unmatched.  Salmon swimming in the wild of Lake Michigan feed on a diet of small fish such alewives, freshwater shrimp, and other natural marine life.  The fish is less fatty and has a beautiful pinkish color. The flavor is mild and hard to beat. 

Comparatively, farm raised salmon are kept in tanks or pens where they are fed fish meal with additives. The fish tend to be fattier and have less of its natural pink color. Astaxanthin is an additive used in fish meal to provide pink color to the farm raised fillet. Farm raised salmon are more susceptible to toxins than fresh caught. Almost all store bought salmon is farm raised. Coho Salmon itself is rarely available for sale in the grocery store. 

It seems like common sense to eat something that is better for you. People buy more expensive beef and eggs for the same reason. An animal and fish raised in a healthy environment with a healthy diet is better for us in the long run. Hence, so many folks charter a boat to access the delicious coho salmon.

Cooking Fresh Coho Salmon

Lake Michigan Coho Salmon tastes so good naturally that cooking it is an easy dinner to prepare.  However, the lack of fat can limit some ways to cook it. Pan searing and smoking coho are two ways of cooking that are difficult due to the small amount of fat.

• After filleting the salmon, place it skin side down right on the grates of the grill. Brush a small amount of olive oil on the flesh with a shake of salt and pepper and cook until the flesh separates from the skin.  
• Others bake their salmon similarly to the grill. They bake it in the oven at 350 degrees with a little oil brushed on top to compensate for the lack of fat. For variation, the salmon can be sprinkled with breadcrumbs and parmesan. Cooking time varies according to the thickness of the filet.  
• If you want to get fancy, try a salmon cake recipe. Its a little time consuming but it puts crab cakes to shame and is a fine way to use wild caught coho salmon.  
• Deep fried coho is delicious as well. Try some coconut Panko crumbs and a sweet and spicy dipping sauce.

Whichever way you prepare your freshly caught Lake Michigan salmon, you can’t go wrong! It will become a household favorite meal even for those who are reluctant to try it. Once they do they’ll be as hooked as the other fisherman. Contact us now to book your spring coho charters.