The Great Chub Shortage of 2008

I knew that there were reduced salmon stocks this year, but I was alarmed to find out that there is a shortage of chubs as well. My mother stopped at Kaufman's to buy me a bunch of soul food and learned that "the lake isn't giving up many chubs this year, and does arrive isn't worth selling."

Disappointing. I hope the stocks aren't seriously harmed and that they're back soon.

Best,
Michael

eatchicago wrote:I knew that there were reduced salmon stocks this year, but I was alarmed to find out that there is a shortage of chubs as well. My mother stopped at Kaufman's to buy me a bunch of soul food and learned that "the lake isn't giving up many chubs this year, and does arrive isn't worth selling."

Wow--I'm surprised I didn't hear about this sooner. Chubs are a regular part of my mom's diet. She'll be very disappointed.

Yup, I've noticed for the last few months at least that there haven't been any chubs. I wanted some for Mother's Day, and my family couldn't get them at Kaufman's then either.

The silver lining was that the lack of chubs prompted my mother to buy some of the best pickled herring that I've had in a long while.

I was at Calumet Fisheries over the weekend and I was surprised to hear they were out of chubs. They didn't say why though. Interesting.

Anyone out there up on Russian fish nomenclature? I thought these were chubs when I saw them last week at Renee Gourmet, but they could be something completely different. I didn't buy any, so I don't know if they taste like chubs, and I have no idea what waters any of the fish sold at those stores comes from. It could be Lake Michigan. It could be Lake Baikal.

Hi, all! I just called Hagen's and they say the following:

1. They have chubs! They are smoking some right now, the man said.
2. The chubs they are getting are a bit smaller than they are used to.
3. The price is a bit higher.

Hagen's Fish market
5635 W. Montrose
Chicago
(773) 283-1944

--Joy

I notice upon each successive visit to Hagen's that everything is a "bit higher."

This phenomenon is hardly limited to Hagen's.

As mentioned on other topics, food costs are rising everywhere.

Hardly big news for seafood, eh?

jimwdavis wrote:As mentioned on other topics, food costs are rising everywhere.

Hardly big news for seafood, eh?

Lobster prices are said to be down, at least in New England. I haven't noticed if local prices are following suit. Since the price drop applies mainly to perishable soft-shells, which are often not shipped, it may not.

AP wrote:A solid harvest and diminished demand from diners adjusting to the weak economy have pushed the retail price of lobster in Maine beneath $6 a pound, tightening the financial squeeze on fisherman struggling with soaring fuel prices.

As part of my family's bastardized Italian seafood Christmas, I purchase smoked chubs and some other smoked fish (trout, whitefish or sturgon). Historically, I purchased them from Joes Fisheries on Cortland who claimed that they harvested the fish themselves from Lake Michigan. Sadley, Joes went the way of Bens shrimp house about five years ago. Since then I have gotten them from Hagans.

While perusing the board, I saw a comment that Calumet fisheries was out of chubs and did not expect any. I called Hagens to place my order and was informed that they did not have any either. The gentleman on the phone sugested that I purchase "lake herring" about twice the size of the chubs and close in taste and texture. Dirks said they had chubs at $20 a pound which seems really high. If they are good I don't care about the price but I don't know if they smoke the fish themselves or are buying from a large east coast purveyor. Chubs can be dry if they are "old" or smoked improperly.

An internet search found two small Wisconsin smokehouses who did not have chubs available. I found one in Michigan who would ship it for a $60 fee.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

"Lake Herring" Dirk's or bite the bullit for shipping costs.

Babaluch

"Any thoughts or suggestions?"

Why not try the lake herring suggestion? Twenty bucks a pound for chubs is way past overpriced.

Chubs are scarce these days. There were none in stock at Kauffman's last Saturday, either.

Try Super H-Mart of all places... I've always wondered who their clientele was for all those smoked fish... (certainly not their Asian clientele)...

Treasure Island has always carried them.
http://www.tifoods.com/

stevez wrote:Chubs are scarce these days. There were none in stock at Kauffman's last Saturday, either.

When I was at Kauffman's the Sunday after Thanksgiving, the counterman was telling us that there aren't chubs and that there are unlikely to be any in coming months--there just are none available. He was pushing the smoked whitefish. It was a very tasty substitute, my husband and I thought.

I'd be a little skeptical of what are being called chubs at a less reputable market.

EvA wrote:

stevez wrote:Chubs are scarce these days. There were none in stock at Kauffman's last Saturday, either.

When I was at Kauffman's the Sunday after Thanksgiving, the counterman was telling us that there aren't chubs and that there are unlikely to be any in coming months--there just are none available. He was pushing the smoked whitefish. It was a very tasty substitute, my husband and I thought.

I'd be a little skeptical of what are being called chubs at a less reputable market.

It's the same story at Hagen's. And you're exactly right, if places that move a large amount of chubs can't get 'em, I'd probably just stay away from them in general.

So does anyone know the reason for this? Is it a conservation thing? Typing "looking for chubs" into Google gives me many hits, although most seem to address issues that are somewhat unrelated.

cilantro wrote:So does anyone know the reason for this? Is it a conservation thing? Typing "looking for chubs" into Google gives me many hits, although most seem to address issues that are somewhat unrelated.

Why is there a shortage of any fish? Overfishing, disease, shortage of its own food source, natural ebbs in populations, you name it.

Every explanation I've heard boils down to: "the lakes just aren't giving up as many as before".

I just bought chubs at Supreme Lobster in Villa Park - 220 E. North Ave - (630)830-3474. They had plenty of both "Medium" and "Large" sizes.

bensmom9 wrote:I just bought chubs at Supreme Lobster in Villa Park - 220 E. North Ave - (630)830-3474. They had plenty of both "Medium" and "Large" sizes.

How much did they cost per pound?

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:

bensmom9 wrote:I just bought chubs at Supreme Lobster in Villa Park - 220 E. North Ave - (630)830-3474. They had plenty of both "Medium" and "Large" sizes.

How much did they cost per pound?

And how was the quality? Were they dried out?

I bought the medium size for $11.99/lb - I think the large ones were $12.99. Just took a taste - I find them very good, fat and meaty but moist, oily with a delicious smoked flavor. Just like I had as a kid when my (polish) Dad brought them home from I don't know where (he's passed away). I don't know if that price is high, but I was excited to get them after reading about the "shortage" on this forum!

EvA wrote:

stevez wrote:Chubs are scarce these days. There were none in stock at Kauffman's last Saturday, either.

When I was at Kauffman's the Sunday after Thanksgiving, the counterman was telling us that there aren't chubs and that there are unlikely to be any in coming months--there just are none available. He was pushing the smoked whitefish. It was a very tasty substitute, my husband and I thought.

I'd be a little skeptical of what are being called chubs at a less reputable market.

I was there the same day, and was disappointed to not get any, but wasn't told why. He made it sound like they just ran out over the long weekend, but would have some soon.

I don't get to Skokie very often any more. Any one know where to find good smoked fish in the Algonquin / Randall Rd area?

Hi,

During the summer when fuel prices were in the stratosphere, fishermen were losing their shirts trolling for chubs and other fish. When they couldn't get enough to make the expense of the trip worthwhile many simply stopped looking.

I was at H-Mart this evening, but I did not see any chubs. I did see a salted Mackerel gift box in a zipper case for $19.99. It is the perfect gift for someone.

Regards,

cilantro wrote:So does anyone know the reason for this? Is it a conservation thing? Typing "looking for chubs" into Google gives me many hits, although most seem to address issues that are somewhat unrelated.

Make certain you don't google images then... definitely NSFW or home...

Artie wrote:Treasure Island has always carried them.

They still do (Hyde Park TI, Dec 18), but now they're $14.99 per pound.

eatchicago wrote:there is a shortage of chubs

Even my favorite smoked fish spot, Ewig Bros in Port Washington, Wisconsin is out of chubs for the time being.

Ecology of the lake is a large blame.
Got those zebra mussels and other new invasive species all eating the same food as the chubs.
Hope it gets better but probably wont.

Was just at Calumet Fisheries and picked up 2 lbs of smoked chubs!!