Yes, there are a couple of stories as to why. Here, the Archdiocese paints it as a way for the trappers to avoid starvation:

http://www.aodonline.org/AODOnline/N...skrat+love.htm

There is also a story about how much they loved the Beavertail, and begged for it to be classified as fish so they could eat it any day. Having had beavertail, I can agree, it is delicious, and a lot more substantial than fish.