I have lived in Minnesota since I showed up to attend the U a few decades ago. In that time, I have tried many classic foods of the Bold North, like hot dish, Jucy Lucys, shore lunch, many (many!) things on stick, and even lutefisk (just once; that was plenty). But one iconic Minnesota dish that I have never tried - not so much for lack of interest as not being in the right place at the right time - is fried smelt. Lame - I know.
Smelting has been a Minnesota tradition for many, many years - especially along the North Shore of Lake Superior.
The smelt that folks chase are rainbow smelt.
They are not native to the Great Lakes. Rather, they are a forage fish that were introduced to an inland lake in Michigan and subsequently escaped - much to the pleasure of anglers. For many decades the Great Lakes smelt fishery was gangbusters, especially in the 1960s and 1970s, when folks hauled bucketloads out of North Shore river mouths.In recent years, however, as the health of the Great Lakes has improved and native fish like lake trout have bounced back, the smelt population has tapered off.
But it's still a springtime tradition in Minnesota.
Folks bring their nets to the mouths of Lake Superior tributaries, and spend all night scooping up those silvery morsels.
Celebrations erupt around the smelt the run, like the annual Smelt Parade in Duluth.
Every spring, for more than 60 years, the Lions Club down in Brooklyn Park has hosted the "World's Largest Smelt Fry."
I don't know if it's actually the largest - but I don't know of any bigger, and a whole lot of folks show up to munch on smelt.
During the run, you can find fresh smelt at grocery stores and fish markets in Minnesota, especially Up North.
And there are also quite a few eateries that offer smelt specials while the run is happening.
I just haven't made it in at the right time.
One of these days, I have to get Up North when the smelt are running and try to net some - or at the very least, make it to The Fisherman's Daughter in Grand Marais during the smelt run. Its take on this iconic Minnesota dish looks pretty tasty! The Smelt Parade looks like a hoot, as well!
So, tell me your thoughts on smelting and fried smelt in Minnesota! I've been hearing about it for many years. Am I missing out?
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