Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide which smoked fish to sell

There are many varieties of smoked fish available and most of the suppliers offer them all. To find out what will actually sell in your store, survey your customers and ask what they want. Add to that research the kinds of smoked fish that are most popular, like smoked salmon, and the local fish favorites. Make a list and set out to find the best smoked fish supplier for your business.

I recommend: Learn about fish smoking methods, tips and warnings at the Seafood Network Information Center at the Sea Grant Extension Program which is part of the University of California Davis. Fish4Fun.com offers a wealth of information about smoking fish, which fish are the best to smoke and the best areas to buy your smoked fish.

Find a smoked fish supplier

The most important aspect of selling smoked fish is freshness. You must buy smoked fish from a reputable seller. While it's true the smoking process preserves, the flavor is also more intense and moist the fresher the smoked fish is. Ideally, you want to find a local smoked fish business to provide your inventory. You should also try to have a hand in selecting the fish and seafood to be smoked.

I recommend: Consider the areas most known for their smoked seafood, generally the Great Lakes area, Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. Springfield Smoked Fish Company located in Massachusetts has been in business since 1934. They offer two day shipping and have a huge selection of smoked fish available. Lake Superior Fish Company is another quality smoked fish supplier that offers professional customer service and a high-quality product line.

Set up your smoked fish for success

Create an inviting area in which to sell your smoked seafood. There should be trinkets reminiscent of fishing around the table or display. Display smoked fish recipes, books on local fishing, postcards showing the local waterways, smoked fish distributor information and anything else you find will draw the eye, and more importantly the hand, to your smoked seafood inventory.

I recommend: 3Men.com offers instructions on how to smoke fish and an incredible list of smoked fish recipes. One great book available that you can offer in your store along with your smoked fish display is "The 2000 Import and Export Market for Dried, Salted, Preserved and Smoked Fish in United States" by the Smoked Fish Research Group.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Smoking fish onsite is an option, though you must make sure you know exactly what you are doing and check for necessary licenses before serving to the public.