Mackerel Belongs ON the Menu – The Striped Summer Classic Is Back

Mackerel arrive in Denmark’s inner waters during May. Early in the season they stay out in the open sea, but as they finish spawning and shed their roe and milt, they begin moving closer to shore in search of food to rebuild their reserves.

And when they do, they can be caught in pound nets.

We recently spoke with our good friend Troels Twilling in Skagen. The nets are in the water, and now it’s simply a matter of waiting to see when they start filling up with mackerel. Last year, the first pound-net mackerel didn’t arrive until June 16th.

Of course, there’s no need to wait quite that long. We already have gillnet-caught and line-caught mackerel arriving from Sweden and elsewhere. But if you can be patient, it’s worth it. There are so many wonderful fish in season right now, and quite frankly, there’s no comparison between pound-net mackerel and mackerel caught by other methods.

Pound-net mackerel are simply the best.

And remember: don’t start too early. It would be a shame to grow tired of mackerel before they reach their absolute peak in August and September.

We’re very much looking forward to seeing the first mackerel arrive and to enjoying these black-striped “harbour tuna” all summer long.