Meet your Cook County Neighbors: Katie and Parker Slanga
Sep 21, 2025 06:29AM ● By Editor
A Boreal Community Media Exclusive - September 21, 2025
Katie and Parker are owners of The Fisherman's Daughter at Dockside Fish Market
How did you land in Cook County? What journey led you here, if you were not born and raised in Cook County?
I (Katie) moved here in 2017 after taking a job at Bearskin Lodge. Parker’s family moved to Cook County in 1999, and he graduated from CCHS. After attending college in Duluth, Parker returned in 2017 to work as an electrician with North Shore Electric until we purchased the fish shop.
Everyone loves a good love story. How did you two meet? And was it love at first sight?
We met on the rooftop of the Gunflint Tavern while listening to a local bluegrass band. I (Katie) don’t know if I believe in love at first sight, but I knew right away that I wanted to get to know Parker better.
Life has brought many changes to you both over the past few years—getting married, buying The Fisherman’s Daughter at Dockside Fish Market, and now having a baby. How does your family get the opportunity to unwind and relax together? Is there a favorite spot in Cook County that you love to escape to?
We take every chance we can to get outdoors! Living along the Gunflint Trail means even just enjoying our backyard feels like an escape. When we’re looking for a good dinner out, we love heading up the Trail to Poplar Haus.
What is the most unexpected thing you have learned about being new parents?
We’ve learned how much harder it is to both be at the fish shop with a baby. These days we take turns, with one of us staying home with Sophia while the other works. We feel so lucky to be able to make that balance work.
We have to ask since you own a restaurant—who is the better cook at home?
We both take turns cooking at home! Katie is always experimenting with new recipes.
Do you have any changes that you are planning for the future for The Fisherman’s Daughter?
We were fortunate to take over an already successful business. We made some bigger changes in the beginning, and since then we’ve focused on smaller improvements. Recently we added a frozen seafood selection—think shrimp, crab, and fish!
What is a surprising fact about each of you that may surprise people?
We bring very different strengths to the fish shop. Parker is the numbers guy—handling fish purchasing, computer work, and maintenance—while Katie loves being out front with our guests and curating fun new items for the market and gift shop.
To learn more about their business, watch the following videos from their Facebook page:
