Episode 247: From Nuisance to Nourishment: Eating Invasive Fish & Crustaceans

Episode 247: From Nuisance to Nourishment: Eating Invasive Fish & Crustaceans

Author: Harvesting Nature August 19, 2025 Duration: 56:10
Summary: In this episode of the Wild Fishing Game Podcast, hosts Justin Townsend and Adam Berkelmans explore the culinary potential of invasive species in America's waterways. They discuss various invasive fish and crustaceans, including carp, lionfish, catfish, snakeheads, and rusty crayfish, highlighting their impact on ecosystems and how they can be transformed into delicious meals. The conversation emphasizes the importance of public awareness and consumption in controlling invasive populations, while also sharing tips and recipes for preparing these often-overlooked species. - ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Review of the Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy our Wild Fish and Game Spices⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Art of Venison Sausage Making⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links: How to Make Smoked Carp Dip and Silver Carp Salad Swiss Chard Wrapped Grouper Lemon Peppered Yellowtail with Sauteed Spinach Snakehead Ceviche Watercress and Crawfish Salad Lionfish and Chips Shirt - Eat More Invasive Species Takeaways: Invasive species can be delicious if prepared correctly. Carp, once seen as a nuisance, can be a culinary delight. Blue catfish are invasive but can be a tasty meal. Snakeheads are aggressive predators that threaten local ecosystems. Rusty crayfish compete with native species and disrupt habitats. Cooking methods for invasive species can vary widely. Public awareness and consumption can help control invasive populations. Rebranding invasive species can change public perception. Eating invasive species is a step towards conservation. Chapters: 00:00 Invasive Species: A Culinary Opportunity 01:04 Understanding Carp: The Invasive Problem 12:12 Lionfish: The Destructive Marine Invader 23:16 Blue Catfish: A Growing Concern 28:24 Exploring Catfish: Preparation and Recipes 30:57 The Northern Snakehead: An Ecological Threat 38:06 Culinary Adventures with Snakehead Fish 38:37 The Green Crab: Invasive Species and Culinary Uses 46:14 Rusty Crawfish: Impact and Delicious Dishes Keywords: Invasive species, carp, lion fish, catfish, snakehead, rusty crayfish, culinary opportunities, fishing, conservation, recipes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Townsend and the team from Harvesting Nature host Wild Fish and Game Podcast, a series that treats wild food as a starting point for much wider conversations. Rather than just a collection of tactics or recipes, this podcast digs into the entire cycle of bringing food from the landscape to the table and beyond. You’ll hear discussions that connect the act of hunting or fishing to the rhythms of the season, the specifics of a place, and the cultural traditions that shape our approach to harvest. Episodes move through every stage of the process-the pursuit, the careful work of butchery, the various methods of preservation, and finally, the cooking that turns ingredients into a meal. It’s about the craft involved in each step and how these skills integrate into a practical, meaningful lifestyle. The conversations often explore how these harvested foods are carried through real life, nourishing families and communities. For anyone curious about the depth and connectivity of a life centered on wild foods, this podcast offers a thoughtful, comprehensive look at a system that is as much about philosophy and responsibility as it is about sustenance. Tune in for a consistently engaging exploration of what it truly means to know where your food comes from.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Wild Fish and Game Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 188: Sous Vide Venison French Dip [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:28
I’ve taken the classic French Dip sandwich and updated it with some venison backstrap. The signs of a well-made French dip are easily distinguishable from the bad ones. The bread-to-meat ratio must be correct. The cheese…
Episode 187: Come Hunt, Cook, and Eat Wild Pigs with us in Texas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:31
Summary: The Harvesting Nature crew and camp guests discuss their May 2022 wild pig hunting skills camp in Texas. They highlight the activities and lessons learned during the camp, including shooting, ballistics, cooking…
Episode 186: Exploring Organ Meats with Dr. Jonathan Reisman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:25
Summary: In this episode, Justin and Adam chat with Dr. Jonathan Reisman about hunting, cooking, and eating offal and organ meats. They discuss the incorporation of organ meat into diets and highlight the nutritional val…
Episode 185: The Turkey Book with Jesse Griffiths [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:23
Summary: In this episode, Justin and Adam are joined by Jesse Griffiths, a world-class chef, hunter, and author of the new book, The Turkey Book. They discuss turkey hunting, cooking, and the inspiration behind the book.…