What kind of fish is a hooligan?

Asked by: Carmen Lewis

The eulacheon (/ˈjuːləkɒn/; Thaleichthys pacificus; also spelled oolichan /ˈuːlɪkɑːn/, ooligan /ˈuːlɪɡən/, hooligan /ˈhuːlɪɡən/), also called the candlefish, is a small anadromous species of smelt that spawns in some of the major river systems along the Pacific coast of North America from northern California to Alaska.

What fish is called a hooligan?

Called hooligan or candlefish by Alaskans, but referred to as eulachon by biologists, Thaleichthys pacificus is an anadromous smelt.

Are smelt and hooligan the same fish?

The real name for these little critters is eulachon. They have lots of other common names in in the Northwest – in our part of Alaska we call them hooligan, or even ‘hoolies’. They’re a type of smelt, and their numbers vary quite a bit from year to year.

Is hooligan smelt?

Hooligan (Thaleichthys pacificus), otherwise known as “eulachon” or “candlefish”, are a type of anadromous smelt that makes its way into a number of rivers in Alaska during the spring spawning run.

What do you do with hooligan fish?

“I fry them up in oil till they’re crispy,” group member Tasha Nelson said. “You can eat the crunchy ones like dried jerkies. I know there are bones in them, but I chew them up and swallow them.” Twentymile is the most popular place for Anchorage residents to find hooligan.

Is hooligan fish healthy?

These little fish also include vitamin D, which helps build your teeth and bones, as well as B vitamins, which aid in the conversion of food into energy, which is required to support healthy skin, hair, blood, and brain functions.

What is hooligan grease?

Ooligan grease; Fish oil; Contaminants; Traditional foods; Nutrients. Ooligans are small fish (Thaleichthys. pacificus) that migrate from the sea into North- west coastal rivers to spawn in early spring. They are harvested by several groups of First.

When should I go hooligan fishing?

Open season

• In salt waters, hooligan may be taken from April 1 through May 31.
• In fresh waters, hooligan may be taken from April 1 through June 15.

How do you smoke a hooligan fish?

On them and then next morning you let a little bigger fire and then they smoke. And you can smoke them forever. And they've never stopped draining.

What was eulachon oil used for?

Eulacheon oil (also known as “Eulacheon grease”) was the most important product traded with inland communities; as a result, the trails over which the trade was conducted came to be known as grease trails. Other uses of eulacheon by non-Natives include bait for sportfishing and food for cats and dogs.

What do hooligan fish taste like?

Hooligan is a tasty little fish with a mild flavor and extremely high oil content. Hooligan, also known as Smelt, is the “Sardine of Alaska.” UPDATE: Hooligan will again come to you as whole fish, frozen and vacuum packed.

Can you freeze hooligan?

In my opinion, they do not freeze well. It’s best to cook them or smoke them right away. The best way to fry hooligan is to dry them as well as possible in towels or paper towels. Heat about a half inch of oil (I use canola) in a large skillet, very hot.

How do you cook hooligans?

So a lot of people are always wondering how do we eat hooligans or how to uh how shall we prepare hooligans and really these fish you can eat them in any way you want some people smoke it and then

How do you smoke a smelt?

The next day, place the smelts onto racks, belly side down, separating them by at least 1/4-inch and place into a smoker. Turn the smoker on so that it maintains a temperature of 150 to 160 degrees F. Adjust heat, as needed, and cook for approximately 3 hours or until desired level of doneness.

Can you grill smelts?

Over medium-high heat, gently grill fish on each side about 4 to 5 minutes until browned. If you prefer the skin of fish to be more on the crisp side, grill a few minutes longer, to taste. When turning fish over, be very careful as the fish are delicate and can easily break apart.

Can Smelt be pickled?

Introduction: Pickled Smelt



This is a wonderful way to eat very bony or very small fish since the acid in the pickling juice dissolves the bones and also effectively cooks the flesh.

How long should I smoke smelt?

Smoke the smelt for approximately 3-4 hours or until the internal temperature of the fish reaches 145 F.