Curious about the type of fish you are referring to. I have cooked up Perch roe a few times and they are good. I don't want to be passing up on any others that I should be eating. Minimizing waste is important to me for sure.
I have had tremendous success with 1/4 acre brassicas food plots. The deer don't touch them until the temp falls and the leaves become more palatable but when they start they stay for a couple weeks.
Good luck!
I have shot a few and sounds like a dead cat to me. I have never had one leave any blood trail either. I would bet my last dime you will find it in the AM.
Let us know.