Fish McBites

by McDonald's

2013 – 2013 GONE FOREVER

Gone since spring 2013. McDonald's always billed them as a limited-time Lenten item, so they weren't pulled in disgrace — they just never came back in the US. A similar fish-bites item tested in the UK and Ireland in 2024.

Last verified Nov 8, 2026

McDonald's chopped up the Filet-O-Fish's Alaskan pollock into poppable nuggets for Lent 2013 and sold them in 10-, 15- and 30-piece sizes — 'fun, poppable,' in the company's words, with a carton that fit a car's cup holder.

🧾 One more thingFish McBites were the first new Happy Meal entrée in about a decade. They didn't save the quarter: AP reported in March that McDonald's US February sales had fallen anyway.

Filed under: Fast Food · the ’00s & later

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📅 Timeline

2013In January McDonald's announced Fish McBites for a limited time starting in February, a spin on 2012's Chicken McBites.
2013They went national in early February, including a seven-piece Happy Meal.
2013In March AP reported they had failed to lift February sales; the run ended after Lent.

❓ People also ask

When were Fish McBites sold?

Only in 2013, from early February through the Lent season, as a planned limited-time offer.

Will Fish McBites come back?

McDonald's has not brought them back in the US. A similar fish bites item was tested in the UK and Ireland in 2024.

🧾 Sources

AP via Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, McDonald's turns to Fish McBites to boost sales (2013)
AP via The Herald (Everett), McDonald's to put 'Fish McBites' in Happy Meals (2013)
AP via Washington Examiner, Fish McBites fail to spark McDonald's sales (2013)

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