Smelt.

[tangle tooth]

      Many years ago, or so I've been told, smelt fishing was very popular somewhere along the north shore.
      Is that still a thing?

[LPS]

I always wanted to do that too.  Bring home a 5 gallon bucket of them.  I think it got pretty disrespectful and is not as big of thing.  Will be looking forward to hear too. 

[KEN W]

Used to do that back when I was in college. Cleaned them with a scissors. They were pretty good.

[Leech~~]

      Many years ago, or so I've been told, smelt fishing was very popular somewhere along the north shore.
      Is that still a thing?

Pretty much not in the rivers as much any more. Folks seem to be getting them on the shores of Park point with saine nets in the spring. 

[Scenic]

Years ago we used to go up to the Lester or French river and used bit nets with long handles on them.  We then spent the next day cleaning fish like mentioned with a sissors.   We would fry some and then my Mom used to can them in jars with different sauces on them.   We even used to smoke a frew as well.

[Jerkbiat]

I have a friend that was out in Wisconsin smelting this week. Sounds like they did pretty good.