Compared to many other types of fish, trout has a mild fishy odor.
Rainbow trout are the most common species of trout that can be purchased in supermarkets across the country. Not only are they some of the best-tasting trout, but they are also known to have the mildest odor of all the species.
Other species, such as brown trout and brook trout, are known to have a slightly more pungent odor to them.
Which Type of Trout Smells the Most Fishy
Steelhead and sea trout are the smelliest of the trout species. When rainbow trout migrate out to sea, we refer to them as steelhead. Likewise, brown trout are found in the Atlantic Ocean and are referred to as sea trout.
Because of the higher levels of salt in the ocean, trout rely on trimethyl mine oxide to maintain fluid balance within their cells.
What Makes A Trout Smell “Fishy”?
Trimethyl mine oxide is the main cause of that fishy odor. The amount of salt in the ocean is less than optimal for the survival of many fish species. As a result, fish rely on an amino acid known as trimethyl mine oxide. The sole purpose of this amino acid is to help regulate the balance of fluids within the cells of the fish.
Once a fish dies, however, bacteria and enzymes convert this trimethyl mine oxide into trimethyl mine, creating the fishy, rotting meat smell.
Are Freshwater Trout Smelly?
Due to the lack of salt in freshwater, there is not any need for fish to rely on trimethyl mine oxide. As a result, most trout that are caught in freshwater lakes, rivers, and streams do not have the traditional fishy odor.
Instead, certain types of trout are known to have more of a muddy aroma as a result of blue-green algae that can be found at the bottom of freshwater lakes.
Do Different Types of Trout Smell Fishy?
Different trout have different odors as a direct result of their habitats and eating habits. While rainbow trout is the best-tasting and smelling trout available at supermarkets across the country, brown trout, on the other hand, are known to have a pretty pungent odor to them.
Does Rainbow Trout Smell Fishy?
Of all of the trout species, rainbow trout are known to have a very mild taste and odor.
Most anglers describe the flavor of the rainbow trout as nutlike. The flesh of the trout is pale in color and generally flaky. Trout fillets do not have any fishy odor until they start going bad.
Does Brown Trout Smell Fishy?
Brown trout, on the other hand, are known to have a very strong flavor. The larger the trout, the more pungent the odor can be. Unlike rainbow trout, the flavor of brown trout is dependent upon the fish’s main diet.
As a general rule of thumb, it is best to always marinade brown, lake and brook trout in milk before preparing it to minimize the fishy odor.
Does Trout Smell When You Cook It
Unfortunately, all fish tend to smell when you cook them. In order to reduce the odor that is created when cooking trout, it is always best to cook the fish as soon as it is caught or purchased.
Within only a few days, the trimethyl mine oxide begins to break down, releasing the fishy odor. The longer you keep a raw fillet, the more pungent it will be.
Can Trout Smell?
The fact is, is that while trout generally have lower levels of trimethyl mine oxide, they will still begin to smell within a day or two of being caught or purchased from the store.
Within 1 to 2 days, even if kept in a sealed container, the trimethyl mine oxide in the cells, will begin to break down and release that fishy smell. Once the meat begins to smell off, it is time to discard it.
How Long Before Trout Begins to Smell?
As a general rule, raw fish will only last for about 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator.
At the same time, even after the fish has been cooked, it can only be kept for about 5 to 6 days before it has to be thrown out. Regardless of whether you caught the trout, or purchased it in a grocery store, it should be cooked and consumed within 1 to 2 days.