How to Preserve Fish for Taxidermy

Preserve your big catch for all to see.

Taxidermy is a way to preserve the thrill of the catch. Your prized fish can be mounted on the wall, ready for you to show off. Take special care when preserving your fish for taxidermy--it needs to be in good shape when it arrives at the taxidermist. It is not uncommon for a taxidermist to preserve the head of a fish, while reproducing the body from Styrofoam or another material.

Instructions

1. Catch your fish with care. Be as gentle as possible when bringing in your fish and removing any hooks. The taxidermist may not be able to repair all of the damage done.

2. Take a picture. Use a camera to get a snapshot of your fish as soon as it comes out of the water. The longer a fish is out of water, the more its colors tend to fade.

3. Wrap the fish with a wet towel or burlap, keeping all of its fins laying down against its body. Place the wrapped fish in a plastic bag.

4. Lay the fish in a cooler with ice.

5. Take the fish to a taxidermist as soon as possible.

6. Refrigerate the fish for up to five days or freeze it for two to three months if you can't get it to a taxidermist right away.

References

• Taxidermy Skinning
• Ultimate Walleye: Mounting Your Prized Walleye