Most fish species can be scaled, gutted and cleaned following the procedures outlined above. How to Clean Mackerel. Wipe the fish surface clean with cloth or paper towels, keep the fish moist, but not wet, by wrapping it in clear plastic wrap, put the fish in a sealable storage bag, and place it on ice or snow. Differences in Preparing Varieties of Fish. the tail. Important Note: Clean and eat these fish at your own risk and do as much research as you can about the kind of pufferfish you are catching before ever serving a pufferfish to someone P.S. Filleting Filleting means getting the meat of the fish ⦠Grasp the head of the fish with one hand and the body with the other. Like any skill, practice makes perfect when it comes to fish cleaning. If making fillets, rinse the fish in cold, clean ⦠Remember that you should always clean your fish immediately so they taste better. And cleaning fish ⦠However, what follows are some extra guidelines with relation to some of the most commonly used fish. After you wash the fish in clean water, it's ready for cooking. Learn How to Clean a Fish With Practice. â If ⦠This is an immensely popular fish ⦠Pull the head and guts away from the skinned body. How to clean smelt "You're not catching the biggest fish but they're arguably one of the best eating fish out there," Paw Paw's Levi Riegle said. You remove the fish's bones just before you eat it. Break the backbone at the head.