“In Michigan, smelt is near and dear to a lot of people’s hearts,” said Jamie Massey, a 6th generation fisherman and owner of Massey Fish Company in St. Ignace. He recently spoke with Taste the Local Difference (TLD) for an article about this tasty little fish.
As the article explains, smelt’s reputation took a hit in 2021 when testing showed high levels of PFAS in the fish’s flesh. Agencies quickly updated their consumption safety guidelines to reduce people’s exposure to the contaminant. However, further testing showed that the results had been misinterpreted, and additional research has reinforced smelt’s position back on the menu. Get the full scoop from TLD’s article.
Michigan Sea Grant Extension Educator Lauren Stigers also spoke with TLD about the importance of getting smelt and other fish on the dinner table. “According to dietary guidelines, we need to incorporate more fish,” she said. “Your fishermen and fish farmers for food go through seafood safety training and abide by the FDA regulations, so they ensure your fish are safe to eat.”
Want to cook smelt for yourself? TLD shared Jamie Massey’s go-to strategy:
“Add a light batter to a large sealable bag with a pound of smelt. Leaving a bit of air in the bag, seal it to make a ‘balloon.’ Shake until the fish are completely breaded, and then deep fry for 3-4 minutes.”
Freshwater Feasts 