By the late 1800s Leland was home to a small fleet of fishing vessels. These early fishermen set their nets offshore in open wood mackinaw boats rigged with sails. By 1905 the fishermen began to replace the sails in their mackinaw boats with gas-powered engines. The new engines and the addition of protective cabins enabled the fishermen to fish farther from port, in more inclement weather, and for more of the year.
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Diesel eventually replaced gas and new machinery was added to newly built tugs that made the fishermen increasingly efficient at catching fish, but wood tugs still reigned in Fishtown until the late 1950s. In 1958 the Steffens and Stallman families dedicated two new fish tugs in Leland. With these boats, the Janice Sue and the Mary Ann, commercial fishing in Leland left the world of wood boats and entered the world of steel, with hulls specially designed for the rigors of this part of the Great Lakes. Janice Sue has served in Leland ever since. Trap net fishing began in Leland in 1982, with the launch of the hand-crafted steel tug, the Joy.
Discovering the Manitou Islands Gabrielle Grobbel – Fishtown Preservation The Journey: Arriving at the docks thirty minutes prior to the posted departure time of 10:00 AM on Wednesday, June 23rd, I could tell it was going to be a beautiful day for hiking. The sun was out with only a few puffy clouds in the […]
Fishtown Then and Now Gabrielle Grobbel – Fishtown Preservation Fishtown Preservation Society aims to preserve the past and future of Fishtown. Many of the historical shanties built near the start of the 20th century are still standing today, with only a few minor renovations. Starting as a booming fishing town and transitioning to a beloved […]
Let’s Talk Fish Gabrielle Grobbel – Fishtown Preservation Fish are underrated creatures. With stunning diversity and complex life histories, they inspire well-deserved appreciation. Staring at the Leland River that runs through the heart of Fishtown, I was amazed at the world that lies right below my feet. To learn more about the river in Fishtown, […]
Discovering Fishing Tales and Art Inspiration Gabrielle Grobbel – Fishtown Preservation Fishtown is a place built upon endless stories. After digging through a few history books on Fishtown, I realize I have only touched the surface. The characters and tales I’ve read about are beginning to stray from the pages as I continue to explore, […]
