Springtime means smelt!

Posted on by msgpubs

By Lauren Stigers, Michigan Sea Grant Extension Educator in the western Upper Peninsula

A pile of small fish, battered and deep-fried, on a piece of paper towel.
A plate of battered and fried smelt. Photo: Lauren Stigers

Americans do not eat enough fish, according to the recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Fish are a good source of natural vitamins such as vitamin D (improves sleep) and omega-3s (heart healthy as it lowers the risk of strokes, heart attacks, and hypertension), and considered a brain booster (helping treat or prevent depression or ADHD and improve cognitive development).

Often, concerns about contaminants keep people from choosing fish, but remember, just like all other foods in the food pyramid, eating fish improves health and provides essential minerals we need. Changes in environmental practices, regulations, and control of pollution over the past 50 years have improved not only our water supply but also our local fisheries supply, which reduces concerns about eating fish.

Learn more about these critical steps toward progress in this article from Michigan State University Extension.

Putting smelt back on the menu

“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.

If you’re around seasoned smelt eaters, you might notice an unusual tradition: biting off the head of the first smelt you catch. This odd behavior is actually rooted in Indigenous norms, in which you show respect for an animal’s sacrifice by consuming a vital part of its being. To honor a deer, this might mean taking a bite of its heart. For a tiny smelt, it’s the head.

However you choose to show gratitude to the smelt and those who catch and prepare it, we hope you enjoy this tasty Great Lakes fish!

A dinner plate holds fried smelt, french fries and a cup of ketchup.
Tasty smelt go great with fries. Photo: Lakon Williams

Advice about eating fish

Be curious and learn more about the benefits and risks, and then decide what choices work for you and your family. We know fish offer many health benefits, so why not make it a goal to eat fish at least two times a week? Some other recommendations:

  • If you catch or harvest fish for consumption, follow the guidelines outlined in local guidelines such as Michigan’s Eat Safe Fish program: Eat Safe Fish – Michigan
  • If you buy fish from someone else (e.g., grocery store, farmer’s market, restaurant, etc)., the seller is responsible for meeting state and federal regulations that ensure the fish are safe for you to eat.

Where can you learn more? 

Visit these resources and find what fish you can add to your weekly meal plan:

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