Hilkka Hautala began smoking her own fish in traditional Finn fashion soon after her arrival on the North Shore of Lake Superior and as word of her delicious handiwork spread she found herself with business at her doorstep. A practical woman, she decided to welcome it in and in 1970 began purchasing from local fishermen and operating the smoker full-time, expanding her operation to include a selection of local fresh fish as well, servicing area residents’ demand for a regular supply.
Liisa Karkkainen, Hilkka’s daughter, began operating The Fish Shop in 2004 with Hilkka’s blessing and has carried on the family tradition of natural Finnish smoking methods while expanding The Fish Shop’s menu to include imported seafoods, local farm-fresh eggs, wild rice, birch and maple syrup, local preserves and even produce during the warmer months.
For four decades demand for fresh and smoked Fish Shop products has steadily increased as word of the quality and variety of the Fish Shop’s offerings travels home with area visitors, crossing provincial and natural borders. Fish Shop products can be shipped anywhere within Canada.
We have recently been voted as ”the best smoked fish” on The Circle Route by Lake Superior Magazine!!
Check out the Feature Article on The Fish Shop in the 2013 Thunder Bay Experience magazine!
Visit the Thunder Bay Experience website to learn more about Thunder Bay.