Yes, as bait fish they're quite easy to catch. Drop a line with a few shiny gold hooks and you'll likely pull it back up with a herring on each hook. For some reason they really like shiny objects.

Only problem is they only taste good smoked, and when I had easy access to fishing for herring, I didn't have a smoker :-(

Herring is also delicious when pickled in vinegar with onion, and also in some canned varieties. At least I love it.

Plain herring or pickled herring?

Both pickled and the canned German varieties I grew up with, e.g. with cream, mustard or tomato sauce.

According to my husband, canned herring in tomato sauce or cream is delicious but I can't bring myself to even try it due to the smell.

He's only allowed to eat it indoors if I'm not home, and the cans have to be thrown in the outside trash immediately.

Same situation at my house - outside consumption and disposal only.

Yes, there are quite a few bait fish that are good eating.