Angling for Fish in the Big City and Beyond
INSIDER TIPS
If possible, fish early in the morning and on weekdays; weekends can be hectic.
Never interrupt someone who’s fishing. The best place to ask someone questions is the parking lot, when they’re leaving and you’re arriving.
New to fishing? Visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources website (Michigan.gov/dnr/) and click the fishing icon. You’ll find a guide to Michigan lake fish, where and how to catch them, as well as dozens of ways to learn about fishing in your area—including a link to get your all-important fishing license online.
Not sure you want to commit?
Great news: Michigan has two Free Fishing Weekends, no license required, twice a year. And while the February weekend is in the rearview mirror, you can still give it a try June 12—13. Wherever you go, you’re certain to find experienced fishers to help you fall for the sport hook, line and sinker.
WHERE TO BUY FRESH FISH
Detroit Area: Chef Martinez recommends The Lobster Pot, a fish market with local catches as well as fish flown in from the East Coast. The market features in-store, curbside service and delivery to East English Village, the Grosse Pointes, St. Clair Shores and Harper Woods. 16901 Harper Ave., Detroit; 313-882-7400; thelobsterpotdetroit.com
The Mobile Market: In addition to its storefront in Howell, Oceanside Seafood has a Seafood Market on Wheels that brings fresh fish from the Great Lakes and the oceans to buyers around Southeast Michigan, from Jackson to Walled Lake, Farmington Hills and more. Check out their offerings and schedule at oceansideseafood.market.
Ann Arbor Area: Monahan’s Seafood Market in Kerrytown offers exceptionally fresh fish from the Great Lakes as well as from both coasts. They receive whole fish and filet them in house. Their weekly newsletter, the Friday Fish Report, includes info and recipes, as does their website. Find them at 407 N. Fifth Ave, Ann Arbor; 734- 662-5118; monahansseafood.com.
THE PICKEREL-WALLEYE DEBATE IS NO TO-MAY-TO, TO-MAH-TO
From fisherfolk to chefs, the great debate of a name has carried on for decades. Are walleye and pickerel the same fish?
Walleye (Sander vitreus), a freshwater fish common to cooler freshwater lakes and native to Canada, is commonly referred to as pickerel in the United States and English-speaking parts of Canada. Pickerel (Esox americanus) is often actually the closely related grass pickerel or chain pickerel (depending on where it lives—in a lake or stream). Walleye is the largest member of the perch family. Pickerel is a member of the pike family.
Many retail outlets will interchange the names of these fish based on their consumer demographics. These fish are similar, but there is a difference. Many people believe that walleye is far superior in taste and the overall size is larger, so walleye yield bigger fillets.
Ultimately, it is personal or cultural preference to call walleye pickerel—or not—so long as you know they aren’t the same. Happy fishing!
