How to Make a Simple Fish Stock While on a Fishing Trip

You’re out fishing, just caught some fresh fish, and want to make a delicious soup or sauce? But how do you make a fish stock quickly and easily while on the go, without fancy equipment or ingredients? Don’t worry, it’s totally doable—even on a fishing trip!

What is Fish Stock?

Fish stock is a flavorful broth made from fish parts like heads, bones, and trimmings. It serves as a base for soups, sauces, or risottos and adds that classic, delicate fish flavor to your dishes.

What You’ll Need

• Fresh fish leftovers (heads, bones, tail pieces) from your catch
• Water—ideally clean drinking or filtered water
• If available: some vegetables like onion, garlic, carrot, or celery
• Salt and pepper or other spices you like

How to Prepare the Fish Stock

1. Prepare the fish parts: Rinse the heads and bones thoroughly with cold water to remove blood and slime.
2. Add water: Put the fish parts in a pot or pan and cover them with enough water.
3. Add vegetables and spices: If you have vegetables or spices, roughly chop and add them to the pot. Don’t forget salt and pepper.
4. Simmer gently: Heat slowly until just before boiling, then let it simmer gently for about 20 to 30 minutes. Important: Don’t boil vigorously, or the stock can turn bitter!
5. Strain: Pour the stock through a sieve or cloth to remove fish parts and vegetables.
6. Your simple fish stock is ready!

Kalakeitto – Classic Finnish Fish Soup

With your freshly made fish stock, you can easily prepare a delicious soup—like the traditional Finnish Kalakeitto with salmon. This creamy fish soup is a classic and perfect for your fishing trip.

Here’s how:

• Use your homemade fish stock as a base.
• Add diced potatoes, carrots, and leeks to the stock and cook until tender.
• Then add fresh salmon fillets and let them gently cook through.
• Finally, stir in some cream or sour cream to make it nice and creamy.
• Season with fresh dill, salt, and pepper—done!

This soup is not only tasty and nutritious but also quick and easy to make—perfect for enjoying your fresh catch right away.

Tips for Your Fishing Trip

• You don’t need a big kitchen; a small camping stove or even an open fire will do.
• The stock tastes good even without vegetables—just pure fish flavor.
• If you find herbs like parsley or dill, add them for extra aroma.
• The stock keeps refrigerated for a day or two and can be frozen if you have a cooler.

With this simple fish stock and delicious Kalakeitto soup, you can turn your fresh catch into tasty meals. Try it out—freshly caught, freshly cooked, tastes best!

Here’s the recipe: Kalakeitto with Salmon – The Finnish Fish Soup