Why Michiganders Eat This Bizarre Animal Instead of Fish During Lent

Normally people who are of the Catholic faith don't eat meat on Fridays during Lent which starts Ash Wednesday and runs through Easter. Some Michiganders have made a tradition out of eating another animal that swims, but it may be more unorthodox and disgusting than you might think.

Why Not Fish?

The Michigan-based tradition goes all the way back to the 1780s when settlers from France moved south of Detroit to Monroe County. But the harsh Michigan winters froze rivers and streams into late March making the traditional Lenten fish unavailable. Some residents resorted to eating hay for their Ash Wednesday and Friday meals. There were even reports of starvation at this time due to the lack of resources.

Over time and after pleading with the federal government to provide funds for flour a local Catholic official made an appeal on behalf of the settlers. Father Gabriel Richard served as pastor of Saint Anne Parish in Detroit, but he also served in Monroe County and knew first hand of their struggles with food. Despite the fact that the area was directed to completely abstain from meat for the entirety of Lent, not just Ash Wednesday and every Friday, with streams and rivers frozen how were they to survive?

What Waterborne Creature is Eaten During Lent in Michigan?

It has webbed feet, loves the water and is simply known as a muskrat! With fish out of the picture the only food available was livestock meat, roaming animals such as deer, and the many rodents along the riversides. So the good Father Richard lobbied for and achieved a special dispensation for Catholics in Monroe County, Michigan. Today there are special dinners setup all over Southeast Michigan serving Muskrat dinners this Lenten Season. If I were you, I'd fill up on some Paczki ahead of time!