Carlson’s Fishery

This is one of my absolute favorite places in Michigan. We used to come here all the time when I was younger, and I was THRILLED when I got to come again this vacation!
I’m happy to say, it lives up to my nostalgic memories of it. Seriously you guys, this place has the BEST beef jerky I’ve ever had. I know that’s weird to say about a fish place, but there you have it. It’s a little (okay a lot) pricey, at about $ 29.95 a pound but it’s so, so good. You can also buy it in half or quarter pounds. They come pre-​weighed.
The smoked white fish is really good too. We got ours with the bones still in, but you get that option to make for yourself.
This place is a destination you can’t miss if you love fish or jerky, and if you’re in the neighborhood. A trip to Leland isn’t complete without it!

What can I say that hasn’t already been said before? A trip to Leland is incomplete without stopping at Carlson’s in Fishtown. The little wooden shack reminds me so much of New England, but it’s pure Michigan. We opted for a boned, smoked white fish. It’s moist and flavorful and not at all salted or too dry. Hit up the Cheese Shanty after Carlson’s and head to the beach for a picnic and some Leland Blue stone hunting.

Go try the smoked fish sausage. Incredible!
The staff were super friendly and conversational.

Had the good fortune of stumbling on Carlson’s Fishery while on vacation in Traverse City last weekend. Walked up while they were taking the days catch out of the smoker, unreal aroma! Amazing smoked fish and pâté, really top notch. If you could buy it online, I’d do so in a second. A must do while touring northern Michigan’s wine country!

Any time I’m within 40 miles or so, I make it a point to get here and pick up a little selection of smoked fish. I know it is not the only place to get it, but it is a good excuse for a fun trip, especially on a beautiful northern Michigan day. Grab the seafood and then an ice cream cone down the street and all is right.

Carlson’s Fishery has been in the hands of the Carlson family for generations. The owner, one of the brothers of the current generation, talked to me for a minute about the volume of fish that comes through their doors. He and his brother had been out on Lake Michigan that very morning at 4AM.
The fishery itself is spotless clean, and right behind the counter is where the action happens. Even though we were there in late afternoon, after any catch had come in, I could still feel the energy of the facility. I really like the idea of buying some fillets while fish are being filleted right there.
The products were top notch. I had never had whitefish pâté before, but we ate a whole container in just a couple days. The smoked fish sausage was also a first for me, and it was delicious, a must-​try. The beef jerky was really tasty too, although it gave my girlfriend smoky jerky breath for a few hours.
On a nerdier, restaurant-​business insider note, I appreciate the way Carlson’s has taken steps to modernize the family brand. The fish logo, and presence on instagram, shows that the owners get it.
I posted a photo of Fishtown online and my friend from growing up in Connecticut, who I haven’t really talked to in about a decade, commented, «Obviously you got the smoked salmon and white fish!» Carlon’s is legendary.

Great stop when you’re in Fishtown. They are located in an old shantey and offer smoked fish products of all kinds. We had to pick out some smoked pâté and smoked Whitefish to take with us. it was just delicious.

authentic real deal, old quaint fishing town of Leland great smoked fish, fish sausage. Only open during short Michigan summer tourist season.

If you are in northwest Michigan, you must stop by Carlson’s Fishery, located in old Fishtown in downtown Leland, MI. They have the best fresh smoked fish. They also have fish jerky and fish sausage, and I highly recommend their fish pâté. Neat little place located in a historic fishing town on the edge of Lake Michigan.

If you’re looking for good smoked fish, you have to go to Carlson’s! We purchased smoked trout, smoked whitefish, smoked fish pâté and smoked fish sausage. All so good, that we wished we would’ve gotten doubles of everything. The prices are extremely reasonable, and the staff are very friendly.

We went in for the Smoked fish and dip. WOW. Its the one thing you have to do if you stop in Fishtown. We were so impressed with the flavor. Don’t judge the place by how it looks, Judge it by what you eat.

You have to make a trip to this place if you love fish that is fresh and a good value. The Whitefish spread, smoked, and sausage is to die for! The shack is too cute to neglect and the workers are fun to watch !

What do you get when you’re in Fishtown? Fish of course! So we stopped into Carlson’s for a snack. They offer a variety of fresh caught items but since we were on vacation we didn’t pick them up. It’s a shame because I would love to get some to take home with me for the future but it just wouldn’t keep. So instead we opted for a piece of the boneless smoked whitefish that we could consume right there. The fish was outstanding. Fresh, not terribly fatty, not too salty but good flavor and just the right amount of smokiness. I’m seriously jonesing for some right now. It was worth it to pay a little extra for the boneless filets. I didn’t have to worry about accidentally consuming one.
In addition to the smoked whitefish they also carry smoked salmon and lake trout plus fish pates and smoked turkey and beef jerky (that you can buy from them online). We didn’t sample any of those but I’d be curious to try for the future. They also sell bread and crackers for the fish and dips although the selection is very small.
Overall really outstanding and definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.

I look forward to Carlson’s every time I visit the area. The smoked whitefish is great. I was there a week ago and was disappointed this year by the attitude and lack of customer service of the girl working the counter. She was also making the Pâté and was busy. I was the only one in the store and waited for some one to help me. She rolled her eyes and finally asked what I wanted. I asked for six pieces, three wrapped together and three wrapped individually (being taken home for friends). She tossed the fish on the counter and some bags and told me to package them how I wanted. I asked her if anything was wrong. She said she wasn’t supposed to be working today and she couldn’t wait for the end of the season. Obviously having a bad day. After paying, I told her, I hope her day gets better. This a tourist area, without people spending money it wouldn’t exist. The fish was still good, but Carlson’s fell a few pegs in my book.

Good prices and good smoked fish, jerky, and pâté.

On our way back to Chicago we stop at Carlsons and bring home 6 big whitefish fillets to freeze. You can not get fish like that in Chicago. We cook it on the grill on a cedar plank. Excellent.

This is a destination whenever we are in the Traverse City area.
Not all smoked fish is equal. Just because almost all smoked fish is some variation of fish, brine, and smoke does not mean the same results. Kind of like how all oil paints are variations on oil paints and canvas but some end up as the Mona Lisa and some end up as BS at your crazy Aunt Hilda’s garage sale.
Carlson’s is just better than other smoked fish. I also bought some other smoked fish on our way back down from Traverse City area to Indianapolis and Carlson’s is more juicy with better smoked flavor and is not as overwhelmed by salt.
The best is probably the Lake Trout. Whitefish is a little bland for us. The salmon is not from the waters around there (imported Atlantic salmon) so I didn’t feel compelled to buy it.

Best Smoked Fish in the World. Order smoked Turkeys ahead. Giant smoked salmon for parties. This is a 5^th generation business and is why Fishtown still smells like smoked fish.

Great smoked whitefish pâté!
This is a little shop but has a great variety of smoked fish items. We stuck with the whitefish pâté which was about $ 5 and man was it good!

The whitefish pâté and smoked fish are amazing! Cheesy as it is, do not miss if you are in Leland.
Sorry for the short review, but it is what it is — good, locally owned, and fresh. What more is there to say?