Eastern Washington - Areas to gig for bullfrogs?

[Jay K]

I've suddenly developed an interest in gigging for bullfrogs come Spring-Summer. Any lakes in the Spokane/Eastern Washington area that hold "invasive species" bullfrogs? I'm not talking about the native Columbia Spotted Frogs or Leopard Frogs which are protected, but the no creel/no size limit bullfrogs. My interest has been piqued by watching too many YouTube videos on gigging for bullfrogs. Thanks for any useful replies.

[Shad_Eating_Grin]

Do they taste like chicken?

[Jay K]

Do they taste like chicken?

I don't know - I've never tried bullfrog before. I've always wondered though - if certain things "taste" like chicken... why not just eat chicken? If I'm out to eat a duck, rabbit, venison, elk, moose, etc... I'm expecting it to taste like something else... not sorta like chicken or beef (that would just be disappointing).

[Jay K]

double post

[spindog]

I just tried to google "gig for bullfrog" and my computer went down after clicking on link trying to protect itself! CAUTION
What is gigging anyway?

[Jay K]

Check it out on YouTube - popular down south; Essentially you're night spearing bullfrogs with a small trident and a flashlight.

[BentRod]

I've suddenly developed an interest in gigging for bullfrogs come Spring-Summer. Any lakes in the Spokane/Eastern Washington area that hold "invasive species" bullfrogs? I'm not talking about the native Columbia Spotted Frogs or Leopard Frogs which are protected, but the no creel/no size limit bullfrogs. My interest has been piqued by watching too many YouTube videos on gigging for bullfrogs. Thanks for any useful replies.

Almost anywhere in Eastern Washington will hold them. They particularly like sloughs. My cousins gigged them around the Tri-Cities, where they are prevalent. If you're around Spokane, I'd recommend heading south. Maybe the Cheney area, if you're looking for someplace close by, or head to Moses Lake/Potholes if you want to go a little farther and probably have better hunting by boat. If you go try it, let us know how you like it.
TL

[YellowBear]

Jay K
You may want to check the regs again.
Unless they have changed it is unlawful to use a gig in this State.
You can use a spear or hook and line and I think there is a limit of ten frogs.
In any case, I have caught frogs in Newman, Long, Silver, Chapman, Bonny and Fish lk out by Cheney.
Eloka and Sacheen have had good numbers in the past.
Head North and check out some of the ponds up in Pend Orellie county.
There are some ponds up on Mt Spokane that hold Frogs if you can get permission from the land owners.

[BentRod]

Jay K
You may want to check the regs again.
Unless they have changed it is unlawful to use a gig in this State.
You can use a spear or hook and line and I think there is a limit of ten frogs.....

I always thought gigging was legal. I was curious, so I looked. Page 31.

[G-Man]

Current Statewide regs read as follows:

CRAPPIE, NORTHERN PIKE, NORTHERN
PIKEMINNOW, PEAMOUTH CHUB, PERCH,
SUCKERS, SUNFISH, CATFISH (except CHANNEL),
BULLFROGS, ROCK BASS, STRIPED BASS
No min. size. No daily limit.
BULLFROGS (no license required) must be taken by angling, hand-dip netting, spearing (gigging), or
with bow-and-arrow.

I know they can be found in the potholes, especially in the inlet arm of the West Canal. This area is best attacked by boat as the ticks will be all over you if you go by land.

[Dustin07]

should taste great if they come from OK water. frogs tend to taste like the water they are raised in, so nasty small ponds would not be a good tasting frog.

you can get them at the great wall mall for about $1-2 each if you just want to buy some to throw on the bbq.

[YellowBear]

Thanks Bent Rod.
Things have changed some, lol.

[Jay K]

YellowBear & Bent Rod - thanks for the useful replies. I've been fishing Silver, as it's close, and might try there once I've purchased a kayak. I'm just curious to see what the sport's like and how frog legs taste. I don't think I'll drive up special to someplace far just to go frog gigging, but who knows, maybe I'll just enjoy it so much I'll move to the Everglades or Louisiana.

Once the "season" starts up, I'll try to post a "fishing" report... heh...

[panfisher]

all the ponds around the yakima area have alot of bullfrogs. they are fun to watch when you put a big surface fly near them. use to catch monsters out of Myron untill they put a paved path around it. take all you can, these critters really are bad news, seen them eat other frogs and small watersnakes. if you do not get any you can stop in at one of the all-you-can-eat chinese restraunts for a big plate full of frog legs.

[Mike Carey]

I've noticed some monsters around golf courses near Fall City, not eastside I know. just curious if those would be bullfrogs? They were huge. might actually have enough meat to eat. how do you kill one once you catch it?

[YellowBear]

Jay K

When you get ready to clean them, just thump them in the head and cut the legs off at the hips.
Pull the skin down towards the toes and put them on ice. Take a fry pan and get the greese hot.
Roll the legs in your favorite batter and pitch them in. You will want to be careful at this point bacause they will twitch a bit. They are great with a big ole T-bone and a few morrals.

Good luck and enjoy.

[Gisteppo]

Lake Spokane has a healthy population of them.

E

[fishing collector]

Make sure you skin them so the pond taste is at a minimum. Most people just eat the legs but the body has some good meat also. Fried in butter works well and they taste great. Good luck, Steve

[Dustin07]

Make sure you skin them so the pond taste is at a minimum. Most people just eat the legs but the body has some good meat also. Fried in butter works well and they taste great. Good luck, Steve

i use montreal chicken seasoning as well as i think the meat is closer to chicken than beef steak or fish, IMO.

[Mike Carey]

where's that guy from the Food Channel, the one that eats anything? I'd like to try these frog legs, but I'm just not sure about dispatching them. Maybe because I caught them as a kid and kept them as pets.