How to Split or Butterfly a Fish

Remove the Bottom Fins

Remove the bottom fins

Holly A. Heyser

You no longer need the bottom fin bones, so lift them out with gentle pressure. If you need to, slice gently to free them from the fillet.

• 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