---
title: "Video: Never Fillet Bluegills Again, Use This Method Instead"
description: "The Griz, a Midwestern fishing legend, explains how to catch and fry up a mess of bluegills caught through the ice."
date: "2026-03-09"
modified: "2026-03-09"
authors:
  - name: "Alex Robinson"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/authors/alex-robinson/"
url: "https://www.outdoorlife.com/fishing/video-never-fillet-bluegills-again-use-this-method-instead/"
categories:
  - "Fishing"
  - "Ice Fishing"
  - "Wild Caught Fish Recipes"
tags:
  - "News"
---

# Video: Never Fillet Bluegills Again, Use This Method Instead

![fish fry](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/fishfry.jpg>)
*Photo by Damon Wolfe*

Dick Grzywinski, [better known as the Griz](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/fishing/lessons-from-the-griz-minnesota/>), is a fishing legend in the Upper Midwest.

He did his most notable his fishing in the 1990s, which were arguably the golden age of fishing media here, when icons like Larry Dahlberg, Ron Schara, and the Lindner brothers dominated outdoor television, print media, and radio. During this time the Griz was featured in countless magazine articles, newspaper columns, fishing shows, and radio programs for his expert fishing advice. When a writer needed a column or a TV show host needed a big fish on camera, however, they called the Griz. It’s not hyperbole to say that his fishing knowledge was shared with millions of people.

Now, well into his 80s, the Griz is still at it. During his many decades of guiding and fishing, he’s had his fair share of fish fries. Sure, walleyes and pike are good, but for the Griz, it’s hard to beat bluegills caught through the ice.

In the video above he demonstrates how to catch and fry a mess of keeper-sized gills. Importantly, Griz doesn’t fillet his bluegills. Instead he scales and guts them, then fries them whole. This way you save more meat, and get better flavor since you’re cooking the fish on the bone.

![the griz](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/grizz.jpg>)
*The Griz hauls in a bluegill. Photo by Damon Wolfe*

**Read Next: [Before There Were Modern Tip-Ups, Ice Fisherman Used This Trick](<https://www.outdoorlife.com/fishing/video-diy-tip-up/>)**

This takes a little more work, but like a lot of the traditional methods, it’s well worth the extra patience and effort.

## Author
Alex Robinson is *Outdoor Life’s* editor-in-chief. He oversees an ace team of writers, photographers, and editors who are scattered across the continent and cover everything from backcountry sheep hunting to trail running. He lives in Grant, Minnesota, with his supportive wife, two little girls, and a feral duck dog.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-robinson-7452461b9/>)