How to Split or Butterfly a Fish

Cut out the Bottom Fins

Cut out the bottom fins

Holly A. Heyser

Start by slicing along the fish's backbone toward the tail. You will soon meet a row of bottom fins. Remove these by guiding the knife along one side of the fin bones, which extend into the fillet about a half-inch or so.

Once you reach the end of the row of fin bones, repeat the process on the other side of the fin bones.

• Gather Your Tools
• Cut out the Bottom Fins
• Cut Toward the Tail
• Remove the Bottom Fins
• Slice Around the Ribs
• Free the Meat from the Backbone
• Snip the Tail End of the Backbone
• Lift Out the Backbone
• Snip the Head End of the Backbone
• A Finished Split Fish