The Commercial Fishing Museum

One of the first ships to arrive in Copper Harbor in the 1840’s arrived with two purposes. It was to drop off some of the early explorers looking for copper. But it also was to sail to neighboring Isle Royale to see if explorers who had been dropped there earlier had found a good site for commercial fishing. Thus began the related histories of copper mining and commercial fishing in the Keweenaw.

(Photo: In addition to photos of commercial fishing in the Keweenaw the museum has many related objects used locally including scales, net, ice cutting tools, etc.)

The Keweenaw County Historical Society Commercial Fishing Museum is located on the grounds of the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse complex in Eagle Harbor, Michigan next to the Rental cottage and near the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse, the Maritime Museum, the Keweenaw History Museum and our Lake Superior observation deck. In it one can see many displays of commercial fishing activities in the Keweenaw and also displays of the many families that fished from one generation to the next. The many photographs in the museum put a human face on the rough and risky business of commercial fishing on Lake Superior.

(Photo: The Commercial Fishing Museum also has many photos and a continuously running DVD with movies of actual fishing in Lake Superior.)

Visiting The Commercial Fishing Museum at Eagle Harbor

2025 Season- June 15th through October 12th
Hours-

• June - Noon to 5 PM
• July - 10 AM to 5 PM Mon-Sat; Noon to 5 PM Sun
• August - 10 AM to 5 PM Mon-Sat; Noon to 5 PM Sun
• September - Noon to 5 PM
• October - Noon to 5 PM

Location- The Commercial Fishing Museum is located in the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse Complex, located at 670 Lighthouse Road not far from the swimming beach along M26 in Eagle Harbor.  GPS: N 47 27.579 W 88 09.562, Decimal Degrees: 47.459650, -88.159370

Another exciting season starts-
Our volunteers have been hard at work and are looking forward to sharing our history with you.

SITE SCHEDULES

A Call For Volunteers
KCHS is 100% volunteer driven and our volunteers are profoundly motivated. Do you have some free time to help us in our mission to preserve and share history? Please check out our VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

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New Virtual Lighthouse Tour
As one of the Keweenaw's many treasures, Eagle Harbor Lighthouse was chosen as one of the online virtual tours provided by Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Visit Keweenaw.

This tour includes an exclusive view of the lantern room (closed to the public) and a view only experienced by lightkeepers.

EAGLE HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE VIRTUAL TOUR

And don't miss the tours of other area landmarks.

SEE ALL EVENTS