Hagen’s fish smoking: Northwest Side institution begins taking outside fish for smoking again

File photo of Chris Stone showing smoked chubs at Hagen’s Fish Market, located at 5635 W. Montrose in Chicago. | Sun-Times Media

Hagen’s Fish Market started taking fish from anglers for smoking on Thursday, Oct. 1. The institution on Chicago’s Northwest Side at 5635 W. Montrose Ave. had halted taking outside fish to smoke because of COVID-19 restrictions.

As to the reopening on Thursday and what it means for smoking outside fish, staff said, “Masks are required and there is a limit of five people. Otherwise, the procedure [for smoking] is the same.”

Thanks to Capt. Scott Wolfe of School of Fish Charters for noticing the change.

“Hagen’s began accepting outside fish to smoke today,” he emailed Thursday. “I have to say that Fish Time in Park Ridge got rave reviews from my crews this summer. So we have two great options for fish smoking. Good news since the salmon are getting pretty dark in the harbors and monster laker limits are the norm offshore.“

For Hagen’s, go to hagensfishmarket.com or call (773) 283-1944.

Find Fish Time, with its traditionally smoked fish, on Facebook or call (224) 585-6144.