Have you tripled up your trout catch to get a Georgia Trout Slam yet? If you catch all three species of trout found in Georgia (rainbow, brown and brook) within a calendar year then you have a Trout Slam and can get a fun reward.

The only thing better than completing a Trout Slam or successfully tempting any trout (of any species) to snap up your bait is when you lower that fish into the pan to make a tasty meal. Do you need some trout cooking ideas? Check out the recipes below and enjoy!

PREPARING A TROUT FOR DINNER: Video Examples

How to Filet Trout: Video HERE.

How to Clean and Cook a Trout: Video HERE.

TROUT RECIPES

Recipe 1: Blackened Trout

Ingredients:

  • 4 Georgia trout filets
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 2 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 3/4 tsp white pepper
  • 3/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp thyme
  • 1/2 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions: Filet your trout (removing skin completely). Preheat a large, cast-iron skillet until very hot. Combine paprika, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, white pepper, black pepper, thyme and oregano in a small bowl. Dip filets in melted butter, then in the seasoning mixture. Place in the hot skillet and cook approximately 3 minutes on each side until blackened.

Preparing a Trout for Cooking

Recipe #2: Creekside Grilled Trout 

Ingredients:

  • Trout filets (leave skin on one side)
  • Oil
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Pepper (to taste)

Instructions: Filet your trout, leaving skin on one side. Preheat a grill on high heat. Spray or brush the filet side lightly with oil. Salt, pepper, and season to taste. Place directly on the grill, filet side down. Cook for 3-5 minutes. Spray or brush the skin lightly with oil. Turn filets over for 3-5 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with fork.

Recipe #3: Fried Trout 

Ingredients:

  • Trout (can do with or without skin)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp pepper
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp milk
  • 1 cup flour (or 1/2 cup flour & 1/2 cup cornmeal)
  • Oil (for frying pan)

Trout for Dinner!

Instructions: Filet your Trout (removing skin completely) or use Whole Trout. Heat 1/8 inch cooking oil in your frying pan (moderate heat). Season filets or whole trout inside and out with salt and pepper. In a bowl, beat egg and then blend in the milk. Dip the seasoned fish in the egg/milk mixture and roll in the flour or flour/cornmeal mix. Place fish in frying pan with the heated cooking oil. Cook on moderate heat until golden brown on both sides. Cooking time: approximately 10 minutes depending on thickness of fish.

TROUT INFORMATION

Want to Give Trout Fishing a Try But Need Help Getting Started? Check out our Trout Fishing webpage. You can find Tips and Resources, a Trout Stream Interactive Map, and so much more. And, a great way to get some good intel is to read the Weekly Fishing Blog, reach out to our North Georgia Fisheries Management offices, check with trout guide and tackle shops, or reach out to a local Georgia Trout Unlimited chapter.

Parting Trout Note: Want to do more to support trout fishing in Georgia?  Consider upgrading to a Trout Unlimited license plate. Aside from being a great looking tag, each purchase or renewal of a Trout Unlimited license plate directly supports Georgia’s trout conservation and management programs, hatcheries, and wild trout efforts both benefit from your purchase of a trout tag.