Fishtown is a unique historical attraction composed of weather-beaten fishing shanties and small shops lining the mouth of the Leland River. The site has endured and adapted over the last 150 years as an ever-evolving working waterfront that still operates as one of the only unmodernized commercial fishing villages in the state of Michigan.
Click to see the shanty photo gallery
One of the most important characteristics of Fishtown is its core of historic shanties. Though only a few are still used for commercial fishing operations, most of the structures in Fishtown had their origins as commercial fishing buildings. These buildings served many purposes, including net-mending sheds, ice houses, smoke houses, and storage. Though processes like ice-making are now mechanized in a commercial fishery, running a fishery still requires extensive space for equipment storage and net repairs.
Many buildings have come and gone from the Fishtown landscape with the changing fortunes of the industry, yet Fishtown survives as a rare working waterfront and an authentic and active commercial fishing village.
The First Week in Fishtown Gabrielle Grobbel – Fishtown Preservation I can’t help but feel at home as I am guided among the bustling Fishtown shanties for the first time. The worn docks and buildings speak of the strength of this ever-changing village, but also of the love that goes into keeping them there. I […]
Leelanau Books is a quaint, full service bookshop stocking a great selection of fiction and non-fiction books, perfect for vacation relaxation. Located right on Main Street in Leland, Michigan,
We are pleased to present our Fishtown Video, featuring YOU! We asked for recent and special photos and received over 500 submissions, featuring everything from glimpses of summer 2020 to treasured family memories spanning decades. One thing is certain, Fishtown is a place that lights up faces. Your smiles are contagious. Thank you to everyone […]
The Friends of Fishtown 5K (Virtual) July 17-31, 2021 Our 13th annual race for Fishtown will be a virtual event, allowing participants to practice physical distancing while safely uniting in support of Fishtown. All proceeds go toward preserving historic Fishtown—the place, the stories and the Leland fishing tradition. Join us virtually to Run the Race-Preserve […]
