I’m sorry if this is a very stupid question.
I can easily afford a fishing license in my state. There is a lake that has crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass.
What steps would I need to take to catch one of these fish, clean and eat it? I’ve been fishing on like a school field trip or on private land, but just did catch and release.
Is it financially beneficial to catch and eat your own fish? If I thrift a cheap fishing rod, will I be spending less on bait than I would be on food?
Depending on the body of water and the type of fish you are eating, you might need to worry about environmental pollutants. Many jurisdictions publish guidelines about which fish to avoid eating due to accumulated mercury or other chemicals.
It can be a super cheap way to supplement your diet, though. The biggest investment will be your time. Use a second-hand rod or even a cane pole with no reel. For bait, dig up earthworms.
Seconding. I learned recently on a camping trip that the Rio Grande has high mercury levels in some places, so much that more than two fish will typically put you over the danger threshold