Carlson's Fishery

The absolute reason you should come to Leland — besides the views — IS THE FISH! This town has such a rich history of fishing and was actually (of course) originally settled by the Ottawa because of its amazing resources. Carlson has the smoked salmon and whitefish you want. They also make an excellent whitefish pate and salmon pate. If you want fresh fish, they got that too! Also apparently great jerky though I’ve never tried. One of their staples. Excited to dig into the pate and the smoked fish!

This was the absolute reason we came to Leland- THE FISH! But my experience was sadly underwhelming. I got the fish sausages and the lady snapped them in half to pack them up for me. Then the taste was so bland.

Carlson’s Fishery is the real-deal heart of Fishtown—a working fishery operating out of a historic shanty, keeping Leland’s maritime roots alive and well. Yes, it smells like fish. That’s because it is fish. Fresh, just-caught-that-morning fish. Smoked or ready for you to prepare how you like, it’s as close to lake-to-table as it gets. Prices may be higher than your local grocery store, but what you’re paying for here is handcrafted, small-batch, line-caught freshness—not something churned out by a machine. From the tugboat crew putting in long hours to the smoking process in another historic shanty, every step is driven by real people honoring real tradition. Don’t skip the smoked whitefish, and if you want to level up your snack game, pair it with local cheese curds. Carlson’s is more than a fish market—it’s a living slice of Michigan heritage served with a side of brine and heart.

We have had a few different kinds of smoked fish from here, and all of it has been amazing! The dip was great, the staff was awesome in helping us decide what we wanted! We will be back again and again!

We happened to be there just as a boat of Lake Trout was being delivered. We asked to buy a whole fish and they let us. We cooked it on the open fire later that night and it was amazing. Great service and a very fresh product.

I'm not typically a big fish fan but they do a great job with their smoked fish. I really enjoyed their salmon and some kind of spread. Definitely worth trying. I would go back.

The best! Smoked whitefish pate’! Smoked Whitefish sausage sounds odd but it is delicious! Everything there is great and fresh!

The business has a different feel since it changed hands a bit back, definately more commercial feeling. They changed the recipe for the whitefish pate and I do not care for it as much. These things being said they are still my favourite place to get fresh trout and whitefish from. Make sure to ask if they are fresh or from frozen. The smoked whitefish and trout are just as good as ever. I give the salmon a skip because its Atlantic and not from MI. Make sure to get there early in the day if you want fresh fish!

Wish this was closer to home! Being up north, had to find a place that sells smoked white fish. Carlson's is a small fish shop in Leland, Mi by the water. Tried the smoked white fish, smoked trout, and fish pate with crackers. All were delicious!! This will be one of our stops everytime we are in the northern Michigan area. The woman at the counter was very friendly and helpful.

Still one of our family's favorite places to visit during trips up north, a true highlight of every vacation. There aren't many things in the world much better for an afternoon or evening snack than a hunk of smoked whitefish, a container of smoked fish dip with crackers, and a nice glass of wine while overlooking the waters of Lake Michigan. I will say I did experience the rarest of missteps during our last visit when we tried some of the smoked fish sausage. I took a bite and it just wasn't for me, but several folks in our family really enjoyed it so it's likely just my own personal tastes. But everything else was as amazing as it is every year. Get their earlier in the day if you want a full selection of fish and/or accoutrements.

This place has been going for so long and it has never lost its charm of freshness. Always a must when we are in the Leelenau Pennisular.

Picked up some smoked trout and salmon pate. Both are delicious!

I bought smoked salmon. Such a deep smoked flavor. delicious. $26 a lb, if I remember correctly.

Best place to get some smoke white fish pate and other smoked fish. It's just a small window so look for the sign. Get the crackers too, crack open a bottle and you got yourself a picnic! FYI-they can run out of stuff quickly so best get there when they open because you may be out of luck around the time that they close.

Best alternative to booking a fishing charter. Also very useful if you get a charter as they can clean up and smoke your fish. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. Even the less than excited about fish crowd can enjoy the tasty creamy pate. Enjoy the smoked fish or buy fresh and cook it up at home. Excellent jerky to top it all off.

I'm not someone who buys smoked fish often but I know when it's done right and your whitefish is excellent.Truthfully I thought it was expensive but the quality made it worth it

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!

Two words....."fish sausage"! The smoked whitefish and steelhead we're right there. Craving satisfied!

If your in Leland and you love fish this is the place to go. Ignore the other fisheries in town and go to Carlson's. We got smoked fish sausage, whitefish patte, and smoked lake trout. We had been here before but were told by a local winery to try the smoked fish sausage with a glass of Riesling. Wow they were right. The sausages are amazing and pair extraordinarily well with Riesling. As always the whitefish patte was superb and lake trout was great also. Overall a solid 5 stars.

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.

I'm a fan because it's convenient and I love whitefish. Every year we travel to the Manitou Islands and board at Fishtown. Carlson's is right there in the mix of shanties. They hold good hours staying open until 7pm on most nights. They do not take pre orders. I had a sizeable order but they processed it quickly and effectively. The price seems reasonable but I have nothing to compare it too. This time they had fresh caught Walleye. I asked the girl how the Walleye was and her reply was "we have walleye?" Haha. I pointed to it and she replied "Oh, it's really good". Hmmm. I passed this time. I did purchase the Whitefish sausage and we ate it with crackers on the 4 hour ride home. Deeeelish!!

In Fishtown. Love how the area has been preserved with the flavor and feel of an old fishing village. Fishermen were unloading ice chests of freshly caught fish just outside the shop. A gentleman asked about the trout. The guy behind the counter said they were out but come back in hour, hoped to have a fresh batch. Small selection of fresh and smoked fish. We tried a piece of the smoked whitefish. $14.95 a pound. Found a couple bones but otherwise delicious.

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 pate 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 pate and smoked Whitefish to take with us. it was just delicious.

Yes, yes, and yes. If you like smoked fish you have to visit. We have been here a few times before and during covid. The smoked pates are so good, I usually cannot decide between the white fish and salmon (and end up getting both). The whole smoked fish is also amazing to eat as you walk around....yum.

My favorite spot for smoked whitefish and salmon. Sustainable commercial fishing and a delicious delicacy. Support this historic business. I can't come to Leland without stopping at Carlson's. Outstanding!

We often will make a stop at Carlson's the focus of a road trip to the area. Sure M-22 is pretty. Sure fishtown is quaint, but can you eat it? Carlson's is the best.

The whitefish pate 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?

This is a must stop if your at Fishtown in Leland. They have excellent smoked and fresh fish not to mention the best smoked turkey and beef jerky EVER! I look forward to stopping by every summer. You won't be disappointed.

Wonderful smoked salmon and beef jerky!

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

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.

White fish sausage is my boyfriends favorite. Every time we are in the area we have to go get it. Very flavorful. Cool place to visit.

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

This was my favorite place to buy smoked fish and fish sosage until my last visit. I ordered the same stuff as always but this time fish sosage was very salty and smoked white fish smell really bad. Good smoked fish never smell like fish.... maybe I had a bad day or they run on the reputation lowering quality of the product. Now I joined 'not happy customer' list... :(

We cannot wait for historic Carlson's to open for the 2017 season. We visit Traverse City at least six times per season and always make a trip to Leland with our cooler to stock up on smoked whitefish and lake trout to carry home from Carlson's. Pricey? Not out of line. The freshest and best smoked fish. We have even waited for a batch to cool enough from the smoker to sell. Also enjoy buying fish to eat at a picnic table on the dock. The best!

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 !

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

Shhhh. This is one of America's best kept secrets. We love the entire Leelanau peninsula, Traverse City, Leland, Suttons Bay, and all the little towns in between - and no place epitomizes northwest Michigan more than Carlson's Fishery. Located in a preserved and restored fishing village, the shop is built on wooden piers with lake Michigan's splendor at its back door. Five generations have operated the store where fresh fish moves just feet from dock to smoker. Walk the shops snacking on smoked whitefish sausage, but don't forget to grab some fresh salmon filets to take home to the grill. If I had not driven there I would easily believe I was transported to Nantucket. 5 Stars for sure. You can't get this experience just anywhere.

Carlson's is hands down my favorite store in Leland. I start thinking about this place about 3 months before every trip up north. Nothing fancy, just delicious smoked whitefish, trout and salmon at a great price. The store is located right down on the waterfront in Leland with an awesome view out to North and South Manitou islands. Definitely worth checking out.

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.

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.

If you're looking for good smoked fish, you have to go to Carlson's! We purchased smoked trout, smoked whitefish, smoked fish pate 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.

Bought 2.5 lbs of fresh white fish and cooked it that evening. Ethereal taste, fabulous experience. A little pricey but worth the price. Wish I lived closer.

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 pate. Neat little place located in a historic fishing town on the edge of Lake Michigan.

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

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.

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 pate, 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!

The freshest catch of the day. We purchased 2.5 lbs of trout that just finished processing. Roasted it with lemon and garlic and sold my wife on lake fish forever. Everyone raves about the smoked whitefish but it's appearance was a little much to handle. I would recommend going early afternoon to get the best selection. And as others have warned it does smell like fish but that's to be expected.

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 Pate 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.

other reviews have not mentioned the spicy whitefish sausage [which can be frozen] and the smoked trout. Great stuff, we eat it when Up North and bring it to parties when home