Community of Lake Lenore hosts another fish smoker
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A long standing and unique tradition continued on Saturday in Lake Lenore.
The Lake Lenore Lions club, the Wildlife Federation, Community Hall board and the Knights of Columbus welcomed the region for the community’s fish smoker. Whitefish caught in Decemberwas served throughout the course of the day at the hall.
Wildlife Committee member Tim Prodahl said the idea for the event began in the local bar about 20 years ago when Joe Pronych needed more space to run the event.
“He asked the Wildlife Federation and hall board if they wanted to do it to continue it because it was such a unique and well attended event,” Prodahl said.
Over 250 fish are smoked and served at the event that sees over 500 people in attendance from surrounding communites.
On the Friday before the event, the fish are laid out and spiced. The cooking of the fish takes place in a barrel throughout the day of the smoker.
“We start with eight barrels in the morning at about 11 a.m., and by noon we go to 10 and then by one o’clock we go to 12 barrels,” Prodahl said.
The smoking of the fish typically takes until about 11 p.m. to finish up all 508 fillets that were prepared for this year’s event.
“There hasn’t been a year yet when we haven’t smoked them all and usually there is none leftover,” Prodahl said.
Despite serving the fish free of charge, the event serves as a large fundraiser for both the Wildlife Federation and the local hall through donations and 50/50 draws.
The Knights of Columbus also raffled off a quad at the smoker with Korry Meyer of St. Gregor being this year’s lucky winner.
The smoker is followed up by the Lake Lenore Lions fish derby, which is schedule for this Saturday on the lake.
