Commercial Fishing Era - South Haven, Michigan

Commercial fishing was part of the South Haven diverse maritime economy from the 1860’s until the 1970’s. This is the story of the restoration of the fishing tug Evelyn S. and fishing on Lake Michigan from the South Haven Port. The restored tug is part of the extensive exhibits located on the campus of the Michigan Maritime Museum.

[@michaelirey7549]

As a life long West Coast commercial gill net fisher [ and charter boat Captain ], I'm impressed. The boat configuration and haul back techniques are very different than our stern haul and bow picker rigs. Great Lake fisherman were an extremely adaptive and rugged lot. Thank you for sharing this piece of fishing history and God bless the hardy men that put it all on the line.

[@jaysonlima7196]

East coast gillnetter! And her setup isn't too different from our boats, similar size starboard side haul stern set, mostly on reworked lobster style boats.

[@MrPatar247]

Many of the old cargo and fishing ships in the great lakes had to be designed with the fact there is no salinity, which made ships much less buoyant. You can see some major design differences in older fresh and saltwater ships!

[@dansloyer9161]

I'm a local for 60yrs. Great area to raise a family.

[@ronaldneniskis1593]

P

[@talesfromanoldmanpatoneal6372]

Wow I love learning about history back in the day. I'm a Floridian and we don't get ice that was pretty amazing. I do really enjoy these type videos. Boy that times have changed. Thank you for sharing and taking us on the adventure.

[@billwatson5101]

Very interesting...

[@jimreal3840]

I'm east coast fisherman..I guess all commercial fisherman think alike,live same kind life's....just like my family and father, grandfather,sister,mom...cool to see...great story, great film... beautiful boat.

[@tomkastle]

Loved my time at the museum, the Keeper's House and all around South Haven. Remembering Ed ratt and John Schaul

[@tomkastle]

And going out on the Elsie J at least once!

[@kevinthorrington2131]

My grandfather was a captain/commercial fisherman on lake Superior. He owned 7 different boats during his fishing career, one of his tugs is in the Marshfield maritime museum. The salmon family knew my grandfather well.

[@amixofeverything]

This is pretty interesting. I do commercial fishing in Alaska, so it is interesting to see the different ways of fishing out there.

[@charlessoukup1111]

Born in 1947 I lived through the fishing tug fleet chugging out early every morning, all the European freighters coming & going with pig iron for the foundry, balsa wood, etc. Amazing history as a port town.

[@richardbrunvand7954]

Glad you could relive some of that time.. I too watched the big freighters and fishing tugs. That history is coming alive at the newly expanded Michigan Maritime Museum ready to reopen next month in South Haven

[@rantoolio]

Thanks, Fun video. I came to South Haven in the early 70's and enjoyed many fine meals at Jenssen's Fishery.

[@futboljefe1]

Thanks for sharing! I remember the fishing trawlers in the lake from when I was a kid.

[@randiD123]

That was nice! Very enjoyable video.

[@thomasfouts2700]

What a wonderful video! Thank-you so much for sharing! My dad always stopped an Jensen's Fishery for smoked fish, and thus I did too until it closed. Chuck Jensen was one of my favorite South Haven people to talk to, listen to his stories and lake wisdom. I always take photos of the Elsie J whenever I see her out at sunset. Keep her afloat!

[@richardbrunvand7954]

Thanks for the comments. Happy you enjoyed the video. The Michigan Maritime Museum will soon have an expanded commercial fishing exhibit on their new facility in South Haven.

[@emailsender7139]

I remember these boats when I was a kid in 1960's thru 1970's in Caseville and Bayport Mi. Could see them heading out and returning everyday from parents cottage near Sleeper State Park. Great perch fishing back then!

[@g.k.1669]

I am looking at the wide open areas of that boat and thinking to myself, "How did they survive the storms that come up on the Great Lakes?" it had to be a nightmare, then they mention how the boat was purposely taken out into storms for fun because it was built so well.

[@mikepierce1724]

Where I grew up in Maine we had fog horn ! Lunch time all my life the firewhistle blew to was a town thing . My friends daughter is in coast guard in Belle isle Michigan now just transfered from Niagara

[@brucekiszely2995]

Thank you, wonderful video!

[@davidnichols147]

Great Historic video.

[@ralphmurre8708]

Very nice report. One tiny correction: Kahlenberg was in TWO Rivers, Wisconsin, not Three Rivers. Sure miss the sound of those engines.

[@oldgiapetto]

Just happened to stumble on this video. Lordy, does that ever bring back memories. Thanks for sharing.

[@richardbrunvand7954]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@WilliamCrooks]

Very Very good video well worth watching 👀 👍 👌 👏 😀

[@aaronHthelastharbor]

its very interesting to see the different designs between the ships say on the Columbia bar and the Great lake fishing fleet, the South Haven museum was really good, wish it hadn't been during covid when i visited, but good none the less. I grew up in Depoe bay OR, and have family in Benton Harbor MI.

[@doncatch1]

Enjoyed.

[@highwatercircutrider]

A friend of mine drove tractor trailer for ‘Aurelia’ trucking out of Port Huron, Michigan hauling fish to the east coast.

[@boataxe4605]

A slight error, Kahlenburg is in Two Rivers Wisconsin not three rivers. They no longer make engines but they still make the best propellers and horns.

[@donaldlyons537]

Look forward to seeing the Museum and the Updates !

[@troyallen3427]

My uncle Robert Peel ran his Boat from Saugatuck.

[@realamerican6101]

Great story from someone in Valparaiso, IN.

[@andysaunders3708]

That was SO good. Thanks heaps.

[@paulbetka2966]

NEED THEM SCOOPING UP ASAIN CARP IN ILLINOIS ❗❗

[@rodneyjaynes2485]

I grew up on Saginaw Bay and remember seeing many of these tugs everywhere. Sadly the fishery has been depleted, but seems to be making a comeback, but I don't think it will ever come back to pre-1950's levels. We had some good fishing on the bay when I was a kid!! The Great Lakes has a very rich maritime history, that is still making history today.

[@donpoohjunio4060]

People don't want to eat and markets arent sellin mercury filled fish from Lake Michigan

[@u.p.woodtick3296]

I worked on the Bob S in the Fall and Winter of 1972 out of Manistigue that had the same type of engine, a twin of this boat. No radio and no radar , when I asked the crew where the life jackets were I was laughed at. I’m told the Bob S is up on Beaver Island as a museum.

[@richardbrunvand7954]

Chuck Jensen never mentioned the name of the Port Huron company,

[@ratdog3055]

One of these boats was used as a water taxi between Sandusky and Cedar Point for many years.

[@abedanielspictures]

Man. This makes me wish that I had a better knowledge of what happened to the trawlers that ran out of Gills Rock, Door Co. Wi. I saw those craft running so many times in the '70's.

[@E-Glide]

There are two of them at Doc's Harley Davidson on WI-29 just east of Bonduel

[@jimbuckley965]

I spent lots time there, Ed foster was his mechanic.

[@briandurant2145]

Great video!

[@robertwoodward4525]

My grate grandfather built boats like these on the shores of Lake superior. I think it was in tamarack and Cooper harbor. His last name was Swornson . He built them on the beach.

[@budbartlett9075]

Song sounds like Mulenberg county Down by the green river where paradise lay” John Prine

[@riverraisin1]

It sounds like thousands of folk songs. I swear, every time I hear a locally written folk song it has the same melody.

[@markusp1012]

Some of the boats first shown very similar designs are used in the great lakes still

[@ricaldrich3424]

I moved to Dunkirk New York it the early 80's. The town is located on Lake Erie and at one time it was a huge fishing town. In the 80' there was one of these boats still working and the y sold theri catch to Helwigs Fish Market (Also the best wings in town) Very small town. I tried to get a job on that boat when they ran an ad but in those days and in that town the first question was who's your family. Great seeing one of these boats on the Tubes.

[@richardbrunvand7954]

Great story, thanks for sharing. If you are ever in South Haven Visit the Michigan Maritime Museum.The Evelyn S fishing boat is docked next to the museum docks and takes people out on various cruses.

[@keithsage1593]

DYKER LASS I worked on a fishing boat just like those back in the 60's.

[@richardbrunvand7954]

Bet you have some good memories. Thanks for the comment.

[@bk-lx6cb]

I just want to thank these guys for making it immposible for my kids to enjoy a good trout fishing trip because there are no more trout .......

[@lt1nut]

The search term "Lake Michigan [or "Great Lakes ~"] invasive fisheries" should provide meaningful info.

[@jcmarineservicesofswfl5606]

Maybe you don't know how to fish. I've personally seen charter captain friends come in with huge trout and many other species

[@JohnDoe-fu3lw]

You may be a lazy f-ck Idk...let's say there are 0 trout in any of the Great lakes...are you going to put your phone down and tell your kids to put their phones down and put on some waders and go catch trout in the Au sabel or any river in the state with trout

[@bk-lx6cb]

@@JohnDoe-fu3lw must b a commercial guy then, in the rivers and streams anywhere in southeast MI has been devastated you have to go well past Milford to have any considerable luck in the backwoods , your lucky as hell if you get one on the huron river or rasain rivers .....walleye stocks have been great but trout are seriously hit the past decade. You sound foolish if you think commercial fishing and pollution hasn't had an effect .....sincerely from a 30 year downriver die hard fisherman

[@bk-lx6cb]

@@JohnDoe-fu3lw in 30 years I've caught 2 steelhead of considerable size at huroc park flat rock mi......the first dam on the huron river 🤷‍♂️💯

[@bradklabunde9947]

Just had a beer with willy kahlenberg yesterday

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I'm an Aussie. I've never seen a boat like that. OK. Freezing winds, makes sense.

[@martellnelson6962]

thanks interesting...reminds me of builing 51ft . steel boat in my backyard named miss cathy, sold to man sailed her too bricktown NJ still longling it I geuss

[@garyhoffman1517]

I was on the Catherine V out of Rogers city Michigan when I was a kid about 5 or 6 I guess as I’m 68 now.she had a glow plug in the head and was a 3cyl diesel, the glow burner’s fired on kerosene- I thought was darn cool back then 👍

[@jimbob7613]

Remember these from Kenosha WI

[@briananthony7032]

I grew up in this area I am a descendant some of the Indian Captain's that were using fishing boats in this area and they're bragging that there a icon this man learned everything from the Indians South Haven Michigan “Ni-No-Kong” or “beautiful sunsets.” this land was first developed by the Native American Ottawa Indians as was Grand Rapids people really need to get your history right

[@JohnDoe-fu3lw]

What did this program get wrong except stating what they believe to be an icon and you don't believe it's an icon?

[@MegaBait1616]

Excellent video..... Wonder why they all went out of business ??

[@jimbuckley965]

Omg I would go out rolli, and we we have tug of war on the river with other tugs. I have photos from then. Role lost and had to jump in the river.he would sit on top in a rocking chair.

[@richardbrunvand7954]

Love to see any of your photos. Can you email a couple to me. [e-mail].

[@quentinn.3837]

Fudge sticks to anyone that says otherwise as these men did what they had to.

[@thomasdecker7631]

Mention was made of fish being transported by a Port Huron based trucking company. Does anyone know which company this was?

[@douggosbee1]

Hmmm - never knew John Prine wrote a fishin song

[@tvviewer4500]

"She'd do everything but roll over" Hey, are you talking about my wife?

[@kewdo1137]

What kind of fish

[@royboone5991]

Look what you got today fishmongers.i sowed nets from birth and I'm 60.

[@wdobni]

its not hard to fish out all the fish and kill a fishery.....newfoundland grand banks are dead now and will likely never have codfish again.....if we hunted deer like we hunted fish there would be no deer today....just like there are no buffalo......no animal species can survive diesel engines and all weather all season factory fishing

[@royboone5991]

That's when the ice is thick you stay home and eat salted fish kill a deer.

[@royboone5991]

That was cotton nets.small boats make fresh fish .big boats ruin the future.

[@danaustin8109]

Introduction of trout and salmon into the great lakes killed the commercial fishing industry. I like trout and salmon, but except for 2 trout species they're not native and shouldn't be in the great lakes.

[@johncronin5311]

They completely almost wiped out the lake sturgeon which they hated for tangling thier nets if you look it up you sill see huge piles of them which they would set on fire , wiped out all the perch , white fish , im glad they are done

[@j.r.w6623]

Sad , I can't stand progress!!!

[@tomsampson8084]

Unfortunately, these fisherman overfished the lakes to the point where they put themselves out of business. The only native Great Lakes trout are Lake Trout. Even today people who fish the Great Lakes circumvent limits by getting several people with licenses on their boats. There is no way to know who caught what - and the fishery continues to decline because of ignorance and greed. As the fish population declines license sales decline thus reducing revenue for the hatchery system. Very soon it will primarily be only non=native species like Asian carp, zebra mussels, sea lampreys and such in those lakes.

[@terrywade7346]

Well what do you suggest happened Jan!? I am dying to know.

[@donpoohjunio4060]

As a great lakes fisherman, populations of sport fish are amazing throughout the system

[@marchutton7640]

@@donpoohjunio4060So are Lamprey and Zebra mussels. When Asian Carp finally get past the barriers on the Chicago river and sanitary canal it will be over for everyone.

[@willsl321]

@@marchutton7640 these are resilient ecosystems. It’s never over. Look at zebra mussels. And simple carp themselves are invasive. All that doom and gloom and fishing is still alive and well on these lakes. It’s an adaptable biome, and nature is always changing.

[@janekblad6328]

@@terrywade7346 Lamprey has had a lot to do with it.

[@bluedogsurvive6501]

First off there are no seagulls on the Great Lakes! There Turns! What else did you get wrong

[@u.p.woodtick3296]

Lynn Sager there are two types of gulls , Herring gulls and Black Ring gulls

[@mikecastellon4545]

Lynn Sager the word you attempted to spell is “terns”. Spelled differently , being a noun.

[@michaelirey7549]

Is that so? I'd suggest you seek a good reference manual.

[@emailsender7139]

Wrong. I grew up in Caseville on Saginaw Bay in summer time.

[@robertcook9375]

@@mikecastellon4545 A guy in Alaska threw rocks at every bird he saw...."he didn't want to leave a tern unstoned!" Ludington MI

[@j-man699]

Why the Confederate music? wt f

[@j-man699]

@Joel W. MI is full of Confederates.

[@j-man699]

@Joel W. I grew up in a Liberal Michigan.

[@j-man699]

@Joel W. Republicans sht on the Constitution and ruined the state. I'm so glad I left before Snyder started his takeover.

[@j-man699]

@Joel W. I didn't have to leave for the politics (1973) and returned many times but when I moved to Oregon and saw what happened, I was glad.

[@j-man699]

@Joel W. Reaganomics. No on is doing as "well" as we should be doing. All 3 of my reps are progressives. You could never seize a town or city on a whim.

[@jellybean9396]

Hideous looking boats 😂