History of Commercial Fishing
In Northern Lake Michigan &
Door County 1850 - 2005

An old Fisherman once has said;
"This old lake gives to me my daily bread,
Where winds do blow and seas will spray,
It's in my blood - It is my way."
Trygvie Jensen

"How would you describe a commercial fishery? Many men in the fishery call it the last industry. It was the first industry in the Door County area to provide not only jobs and food, but the money needed to sustain a good living. Earliest records indicate that the waters around Washington Island and Door County were teeming with fish. The Coffey family told Ray McDonald that the early settlers came here because the whitefish were so abundant. As early as 1840 -50 the first fishermen were shipping barreled and salted fish by sail schooner to the Milwaukee and Chicago area and the business expanded rapidly.

This book is the most complete history of the Door County commercial fishery ever published. The author is a class photographer who has done extensive research and has created a wonderful complete history of commercial fishing in the Door County area. Trygvie Jensen was born and raised on Washington Island and realized the need of recording the history of fishing in the area. Two of Tryg's great grandparents were prominent fishermen."
Jake Ellefson