yellow perch

[charlie2]

Caught some Y perch on Patuxant. Took some home to eat while cleaning found alot of worms inside.{parasites}Just wondering if others have found them in there fish Thanks Jay

[27 sailfish]

Were the worms in the meat and tiny black ones - almost like hair thin ?

I see them in White Perch - cooking kills them.

[JERRY NORRIS]

Not at all uncommon. Crappie often have them as well. As was noted, cooking kills them, but I usually fillet, skin and candle my YP and crappie. If any show up I cut them out but sometimes there are so many that you can't get rid of all of them. I just discard them if they are that bad. Its a shame but I don't intend to eat them. They are usually worse in warm water and with the lack of colder water this year, they may be worse than usual.

[BigTim320]

Were the worms in the meat and tiny black ones - almost like hair thin ?

It is a "Roundworm" (Nematode), commonly referred to as a "Redworm." The scientific name is "PHILOMETRA CYLINDRACEA - NEMATODA.They're red in color, sometimes curled up like a spring and are thin. They generally do not get longer than 2 inches.

They're most often resident in the body cavity, but when taken out of the water, leave that area. More times than not, I find them in the flesh as I'm filleting the fish. That's the #1 reason why I fillet and skin every Perch or Crappie that I take home. Even though this worm/parasite is not a danger to humans, I'd rather not eat a cooked/fried one.

Tim

[dist2109]

Brought home 10 from Tuckahoe on Tuesday all had worms - was a little disapointing.

[shoot-straight]

Brought home 10 from Tuckahoe on Tuesday all had worms - was a little disapointing.

Yes it's been my experience that most there have them. Some still eat them, but I won't. Anglers should take this into consideration before deciding to keep any from there.

[27 sailfish]

One thing you can do if fish fillet has the tiny worms is to freeze it for a few days.

That will kill any parasites.