This is where ocean and fresh water meet and people are excited for Hooligan dip netting (fishing) here.



Hooligan (also called "eulachon" or "candlefish") are a type of anadromous (born in fresh water, lives most of its life in salt water, then returns to fresh water to spawn) smelt that go to a many of Alaska’s rivers during their spring spawning run. At some rivers, they number in the hundreds of thousands when they arrive, forming an important source of food for eagles, gulls, bears, and other animals. Their normal habitats range from the Pacific Northwest up to Alaska. The name "hooligan" is believed to be derived from the Chinookan name of "eulachon" for the fish.

Hooligan tend to school in deep pockets of water. In these deep places, hundreds of hooligan can be caught, usually with a dip net (a long-handled net with a bag that has a fine mesh in it).



Open season for hooligan in salt water usually runs from April 1 to May 31. In fresh waters, open season usually runs April 1 to June 15. For personal use, there is no bag or possession limit, and during the open season hooligan may be taken by dip net in any fresh or salt water locations.

This fishery is for personal-use and is only open to Alaska residents. Although no permit is required, people must have an Alaska resident fishing license or ADF&G Permanent ID card.



Even after just a short period time dip netting Hooligan, the large icebox was filled. 



I heard that Samoans make fish porridge with Hooligan. 



Even a kid was helping with Hooligan fishing. 



Since people can catch with a net like this, people can catch a whole lot of Hooligan within just an hour.



Many people come out from dawn for Hooligan fishing.
Since it is White Night season, thousands of people come here every day for Hooligan dip netting from dawn to midnight.

Hooligans can be enjoyed dried, smoked, canned, or pan-fried. Previously they were called "candlefish" because when they were dried, the oil content of the fish was sufficient to allow it to burn like a candle. In the past they have been harvested and rendered for their oil, which can comprise 15% of their body weight when they spawn.

If you cannot catch any Hooligan yourself, you can just watch other people doing it for a while then ask them to sell some. Some people even give them away for free, so come out here with a basket!






* This posting was translated. Click here to read the original version.