You could bury them in your garden around 12 inches deep or so or add them to your compost. Just make sure to surround them with high carbon materials like paper, leaves or wood shavings to minimize odors. I've been adding fish carcasses for years now to my compost with minimal odor and animal problems.

I have to say that according to my last month experience of adding fish to my compost, the compost stink to high heaven in only a few seconds time regardless of all the compost that i put on top of it afterward to cover the smell. And at the end i had to dig those fish out and buried them properly in the ground for the smell to disappear. Wont ever repeat that now, it was just a terrible mistake. Just my 2 cents.

And the best way to use fish scraps(when burying is not possible,or you're afraid of digging or whatever), is to make fish hydrolysate, or an easier way is put them in a large bin full of water and use that blood water to water your plant after a few months.

I have been successful adding fish to the middle of a warm to hot pile, and topping off with leaves or paper.

I add fish to my compost as well and if I have carbon (dry leaves), there is no smell. berry_Bob define "alot of small bullheads and carp" and how large is your compost pile?

tj

I have spent every day for the last 20 years looking for a mess of dead fish to compost.
Congratulations.

If you bury them, and raccoons live in your area, do not get the fish smell on your shovel. It will encourage search and seizure.

define "alot of small bullheads and carp" and how large is your compost pile?
as for the amount of fish I can catch all several people would ever need LOL from a 5 gal bucket full to a pickup load,, my compost pile I'm about ready to start I will haul in a couple pickup loads of sheep manure and a large sq bale(800 lbs ) of moldy hay and can get alot more of each

Bob

I've been able to process 200-300 of fish or fish scrap in a palletbin of wood chips without objectionable odors. The link below has details.

Here is a link that might be useful: composting fish scrap

Fish is my favorite compost ingredient. Used properly there is no problem with odors or my dog.

I use it in two ways. If I have a hot (I would define hot as having a core temp of 130F or higher) pile, the fish go in the middle. My mesh bins are four feet in diameter, and at least two feet high.

If there is no warm or hot pile at the time the fish are available; I dig a hole (12" deep or more) for the fish and any fruit and veggie scraps. Some dry compost or leaves go in first, then the fish and scraps, then more leaves or dry compost, then a topping of dirt. I have no problem with either my dog or raccoons digging, but put a flat stone on top to remind me of where the last pit is.

Wow, all the fish you'd care to take on. I haven't had that since my brothers gave up smelt fishing. I'd compost to the max of available carbons and bury wherever I could. Do you have space to leave part of the garden fallow and then rotate around where you bury it?

tj