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

2026 Season- June 14th through October 11th
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

PUBLIC AUCTION OF ORIGINAL PAINTING-
used for the cover of “Shipwrecked and Rescued; Cars and Crew” By Larry Jorgensen.

Mr. Jorgensen commissioned artist Clyde Mikkola to paint scenes of the Shipwreck City of Bangor for his book cover.

The author donated the painting to the Keweenaw County Historical Society to be used as a fundraiser.

It will be sold to the highest bidder.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING A BID:
Please print your full name, address, phone number and an *email address with bid amount. Send by USPS mail to:

Keweenaw County Historical Society
670 Lighthouse Rd
Mohawk, Mi 49950
Attn: Shipwrecked and Rescued bid

*An email will be sent to you to acknowledge your bid was received.

The winner will be announced at our November 2027 board meeting.

2026 Keweenaw Destination Development Fund Supports the Keweenaw County Historical Society’s Observation Deck Stairway Project

The Eagle Harbor Light Station’s Observation Deck Stairway Renovation Project was selected to receive funding from Visit Keweenaw’s 2026 Destination Development Fund.  These funds are intended to support investments to attract visitors while also improving amenities that are enjoyed by residents living in the Keweenaw...
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