The quality of minced kilka (Clupeonella cultriventris caspia) with gum arabic encapsulated (0.3% and 0.5% w/w) and unencapsulated fennel extract (FE) (0.3% and 0.5% w/w) stored at 4°C was examined over a storage period of 15 days. The control and the treated fish samples were analyzed periodically for microbiological (total viable count [TVC] and total psychrotrophic count [TPC]) and chemical (peroxide value (PV) and total volatile nitrogen (TVB‐N)) parameters. Also the inhibitory effect of encapsulated and unencapsulated FE was evaluated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, inoculated in minced kilka. According to the results, encapsulated FE samples showed the lowest amount of lipid oxidation and microbial deterioration during the storage period compared with the control and pure extract treatments. Although, the encapsulated FE at 0.5% showed drastic bacterial effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa compared to others. Generally, gum arabic encapsulation could help to obtain higher antimicrobial and antioxidant activity in lower FE concentrations in minced fish.