Marinette Area Fishing Industry

Commercial Fishing

Marinettes commercial fishing Industry was rooted in the Village of Menekaunee at Marinette’s east end. It is here where the waters of the 120 milelong Menominee River empties into the Bay of Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Early Fish Shanties in Menekaunee, Nicknamed Fish Town, are pictured above.

In the 1800’s there were an estimated 60 to 80 fishing tugs working out of the Menominee River harbor. It was with these tugs the local fisherman were able to land tons of fresh Whitefish, Perch, “Blue Fin” and Herring on a daily basis. These fish were then processed in either Marinette or Menominee and sent to market. Marketing was enhanced by the areas past business dealings with American Fur Trading Company which allowed the fisherman access to markets worldwide.

During the winter months with ice on the river and bay a fishing sail sleigh was used to move the nets and fish. Because of the quality, and abundance of fish in Green Bay, as well as the ready markets to the south and east, commercial fishing early became a lucrative industry.

The three photos pictured above (Right to Left) are: Fishing tugs lay anchor on northside of river, the drying of fish nets on stretchers and Seidl’s Wholesale and Retail Fish House on South side of river.

Annual Smelt Run of Days Gone By…..

During the early part of the 1900’s through the 1950’s every year in the spring, usually April, a smelt run would occur on the Menominee River. At the height of the run, a Smelt carnival was held, special trains would run up here from cities throughout state bringing fisherman and their families up to enjoy not only the fishing but the many festivities including parades, selection of a Smelt Queen, smelt wrestling and many a good smelt fry.

In 1934 two fishermen gathered in 4200 pounds of smelt in just 5 hours. In 1938 local fisherman caught over 1000 tons of smelt. By the late 1930’s the Green Bay smelt catch reached 6 million pounds per year. 100’s of tons of smelt were processed and shipped from Menominee and Marinette to parts all over the United States.