Fishtown Preservation
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We Are Fishtown Preservation

What Is Fishtown

Fishtown is a collection of weathered fishing shanties, smokehouses, overhanging docks, fish tugs and charter boats along the Leland River in Leland, Michigan. The heart of a commercial fishing village, Fishtown is where we can still see and feel a connection to the long tradition of Great Lakes maritime culture.

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What We Do

Fishtown Preservation Society exists to assure public access to Fishtown and to maintain its historical integrity, working waterfront, artifacts and stories through preservation, education and stewardship.

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You Can Help

Few places are as real as Fishtown. Here we can preserve a living link to a long Great Lakes maritime heritage, as well as to our own families and memories. We want to ensure that Fishtown remains alive for future generations. Your participation will make all the difference for Fishtown.

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Fishtown Preservation a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that preserves and manages the Historic Fishtown site. For more info and to donate visit:

Grand Traverse Distillery limited release for Fish Grand Traverse Distillery limited release for Fishtown

These early days of August bring with them the launch of a special single-barrel limited-release rye whiskey by the Grand Traverse Distillery. A portion of the proceeds from each bottle sold benefits Fishtown Preservation. This release is only available in the Leland tasting room at 110 N. Lake Street, Suite A.

This barrel was selected by FPS’s executive director and the long-time staff of the Leland tasting room. The name alone made it a stand-out: “Ole George Rye Whiskey, Barrel #848.” In addition to being aged for over 8 years, it is made of 100% local rye and is single-barrel cask strength, bottled undiluted at 128.1 Proof. It has notes of caramel, allspice, anise, and charred oak, with an indescribable lingering finish that makes you feel as warm as after a good visit to Fishtown.

 We love that it’s from the Distillery’s Ole George line because there are many wonderful Georges connected to Fishtown’s past and present. Kent Rabish, who established Grand Traverse Distillery in 2005, began with rye spirits because their heritage runs deep in American history. He named the line Ole George in honor of his grandfather, a farmer who inspired the business by putting his excess farm grain to good use in a hidden barn still.

The summer days are winding down. What better way to honor the role Fishtown plays in your life, or in the life of someone special to you, than the singular experience of this barrel. Everyone who has had a sample of this limited-release rye whiskey has gone home with a bottle; it’s that good, and there are now only 60 bottles left.

Thank you to the Grand Traverse Distillery for supporting the work of Fishtown Preservation in keeping Fishtown here for everyone, and for sharing a love of our region’s history.
We're delighted to welcome @katiebartlestudios ba We're delighted to welcome @katiebartlestudios  back to the Art Shanty this week!

Inspired by the outdoors and the beauty of everyday moments, Katie creates functional pottery that's as enjoyable to use as it is to admire. From whimsical mugs to nature-inspired pieces, each item is thoughtfully handcrafted, with several created especially for her time in Leland and Fishtown.

Be sure to look for Katie's stunning owl vases. Each one takes more than eight hours to create, followed by the anxious wait to see how it emerges from the kiln. Thankfully, both made it, and they're every bit as beautiful as she'd hoped.

Stop by the Art Shanty this week to meet Katie, explore her latest creations, and discover the craftsmanship behind every piece.

Can't make it to Fishtown? You can find more of Katie's work online at kbstudiospottery.com.
What happens after the fish leave the boat? In t What happens after the fish leave the boat? 

In this week's blog, FPS Summer '26 intern Emma Nelson returns to where her summer journey began—following the iconic Lake Michigan whitefish from the deck of the Joy to Carlson's Fishery, where tradition, teamwork, and generations of knowledge shape every step of its journey.

Along the way, Emma discovers the history behind the fishery, the science of smoking whitefish, and the thoughtful practices that ensure every fish is put to good use. It's a fascinating look at the people, processes, and heritage that help keep commercial fishing alive in Fishtown today.

Read this week's blog and experience the story of Fishtown's most iconic catch—from lake to table. Blog link in bio

And don't miss Emma's final entry next week—her grand finale!
We're excited to welcome @bigmittenlinocuts back We're excited to welcome @bigmittenlinocuts  back to the Art Shanty this week!

Artist Betsy creates every linocut print entirely by hand—from sketching her designs onto linoleum blocks to carefully carving each image before hand-printing every piece on paper or fabric. The result is a collection of beautifully crafted, limited-edition prints inspired by the woods, waters, and wildlife of the Midwest.

If you've visited Betsy before, you'll notice that alongside her signature black-and-white prints, she's adding vibrant touches of color to many of her latest pieces, giving her familiar designs a fresh new look.

If you're lucky, you might even catch Betsy carving while you visit! And if you stopped by last year, you'll be excited to see that some of the blocks she was working on have now become finished prints ready to take home.

Stop by the Art Shanty through August 3 to meet Betsy, learn about her fascinating printmaking process, and discover a piece that celebrates the beauty of the natural world.

Can't make it to Fishtown this week? You can explore more of Betsy's work at bigmittenlinocuts.com.
There is heaviness over the docks. While many of u There is heaviness over the docks. While many of us knew Griffin in different ways—or simply knew of the joy he brought to those around him—we all feel the absence left by this loss. We are holding Griffin's family, friends, and our entire Fishtown community close as they grieve the loss of a young man who brought so much life to these docks.

Photo courtesy of @megabite_leland
Sometimes the best way to experience the Great Lak Sometimes the best way to experience the Great Lakes is to simply slow down and listen. 

In this week's blog,  FPS summer '26 intern Emma Nelson trades the shores of Fishtown for the deck of the Inland Seas schooner, where she explores Lake Michigan through the eyes of scientists, educators, and sailors. Along the way, she discovers the fascinating history of Great Lakes schooners, gets a hands-on lesson in the fish that call these waters home, and even weathers a memorable summer squall.😮

It's a thoughtful reminder that some of the best adventures happen when we're willing to pause, be curious, and take in the world around us. Blog link in bio ~or~
https://www.fishtownmi.org/?p=5682
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