The historic Green Door Smelt Fry returns to Beaver Bay on Saturday, May 17th, 2025. Featuring all-you-can-eat fried smelt using the original Green Door recipe dating back to the first smelt fry hosted by the Beaver Bay Fire Department in 1958 along with a basket of tartar sauce, coleslaw, potato chips, and that classic carton of orange drink. Fried smelt will be served from 11:00am-3:00pm from the Baptism River Barbecue Co. food truck. For the first time this century, we plan to net Smelt right from the Beaver River for this event bringing us one important step closer to the tradition that began this event. That all depends on the smelt running in good numbers!

This family friendly event will include live music all day on the outdoor stage provided by the Green Door Municipal Bar, Lovin’ Lake County, and the City of Beaver Bay. The Outdoor Sports Expo will feature booths of vendors, local outdoor and adventure businesses, and a silent auction benefiting Outdoor Youth Sports in Lake County including the William Kelley High School Trap Team and Silver Bay Golf Course Junior Golf Program.

$10 pre-sale tickets are available now through May 10, 2025 at three convenient locations including the Green Door in Beaver Bay, Julie’s True Value in Silver Bay, or the Finland Co-op General Store. Pre-sale tickets help us predict how much smelt to prepare so there is enough to go around. Tickets will be available on the day of the event for $15. All proceeds go into the Beaver Bay Smelt Fry fund to keep this event going and expand it each year. Tickets are not required to attend the event, but are required for the all-you-can-eat smelt. We expect to sell out of tickets before the date of the event so plan to get yours sooner rather than later!

Special thanks to the City of Beaver Bay, Lovin’ Lake County, the Outdoor Sports Expo, Baptism River Barbecue Co., Bernick’s, and all event attendees for supporting the Green Door Smelt Fry!

Event Details
What: Historic Green Door Smelt Fry and Outdoor Sports Expo
When: Saturday, May 17 Fried Smelt served 11am-3pm, Music and activities until 8pm
Where: The Green Door Municipal Bar, 1002 Main Ave, Beaver Bay, MN 55601
Cost: $10 pre-sale ticket for all-you-can-eat smelt, $15 on date of event
Contact: Dan Cahill Mathews (218) 940-3904 baptismriverbbq@gmail.com
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/1679794049626808