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    Carlson's Fishery

    4.7 (50 reviews)
    ModerateSeafood Markets
    Closed 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

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    Linda I.

    Yum!!! (As a tourist) What's more up north AND fish town than smoked fish? An absolute MUST stop when in the area (or honestly, make a trip out of it, it's worth it). Nestled into the charming fish town area of Leland, the smoked fish is among the best I've ever had. So far, I've only tried the smoked whitefish, but have some trout too that I can't wait to break into!! The whitefish with fresh bread, cheese, veggies, butter, wine... so so so good and what up north dreams are made of. Already regretting not getting a bunch more to load up in my freezer...

    a variety of fish in a display case
    Annette J.

    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.

    Alyssa S.

    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.

    Get the Pate! Best dip ever!
    Oliver V.

    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.

    Arthur M.

    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.

    Wind Direction

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    1 month ago

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    1 year ago

    Great place smoked fish is amazing!!! Usually a short wait due to their awesome quality. I highly recommend Carlsons!!!!

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    2 years ago

    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.

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

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

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    14 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    3 years ago

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

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

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

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    9 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Wonderful smoked salmon and beef jerky!

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    7 years ago

    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.

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Carlson's Fishery

    Review Highlights - Carlson's Fishery

    Just because almost all smoked fish is some variation of fish, brine, and smoke does not mean the same results.

    Mentioned in 14 reviews

    Read more highlights

    The Cove - Side Caesar's Salad

    The Cove

    3.9(387 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    This restraunt was incredible from start to finish. So me and my family were going on a trip to…read moreMichigan, and we happened to stop by this little town called Leland, aka Fishtown, which had a bunch of stores and places to eat, and a incredible view. So we got there and there was a 30-40 minute wait time, but it ended up being 20 minutes before we got seated. We were then intorduced to our waiter, who was extremely nice. i got a Diet Coke and it tasted fantastic, no issues whatsoever. The menu looked phenomena, with tons of tasty dishes, but i ended up getting Whitefish and chips, and they were phenomenal. The fries were amazing, the waiter even brought us extra ketchup without us even asking. The fish also tasted very good, basic whitefish, but the crispy and crunchy taste was just soooo good. we tipped $50 just for the service and the quality of the food. If I lived around the area, I would come here often. Highly recommend eating here and visiting Leland!

    Great place for fresh fish!…read more Group of six of us came on Friday night just before 6PM and waited about 30 mins for a table on the patio. Nice shades table at this time with great breeze on the riverfront/marina area. We all ordered fresh fish with half of getting the almond Whitefish ($30) and it was outstanding! One BIL got the New Orleans Whitefish ($33) and the other BIL got the Whitefish tacos ($21) and it was unanimous...everyone loved the food. What really made our night special was our server Julie! She was super friendly, fun, helpful and very prompt. She is a precious asset for the restaurant!

    Photos
    The Cove - Seating area near host stand

    Seating area near host stand

    The Cove
    The Cove - The famous "Chubby Mary" featuring a pretty good sized delicious smoked chub.

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    The famous "Chubby Mary" featuring a pretty good sized delicious smoked chub.

    Port City Smokehouse - Whitefish pate.
 Fish and chips, fish market,  fried fish, seafood market, jerky, Lobster roll

    Port City Smokehouse

    4.3(58 reviews)
    35.4 mi
    $$

    The bbq brisket sandwich, mac n cheese, and coleslaw are incredible. Highly recommend!read more

    This was our first visit to the store. It is on the northwest corner of the lower peninsula of…read moreMichigan. It's a very busy store with a lot of Customer traffic. This store is not just a fish processing, smokehouse and serves takeout dinners which I did not try yet. There are plenty of workers and service was quick. There is no place to sit and eat. It is all takeout. We were here on a Friday morning of Labor Day weekend. A very busy time in Michigan's vacation land. There is plenty of parking in a lot adjacent to the store and on the street but watch out for the crazy bike drivers who think they own the road one of the old guys nearly ran me over because he thought he owned the road or maybe he didn't know how to drive a bicycle. Just the word of caution. Will I return? Yes, because it's the only fish, fresh fish, store within 50 or 60 miles of Frankfort. I compare fish processing outlets, to a business just outside Mackinaw city named Big Stone Bay Fishery. We were not in looking for a place to eat just for some fresh fish, and some smoked fish. I think that Big Stone Bay Fishery accommodates the customer better. for instance, they freely provide the customer with ice for the trip back home to the Detroit area.

    Photos
    Port City Smokehouse - Smoked Salmon wraps with sweet Black Cherries, ready for wrapping and serving.  Fish and chips, fish market,  fried fish, seafood market, je

    Smoked Salmon wraps with sweet Black Cherries, ready for wrapping and serving. Fish and chips, fish market, fried fish, seafood market, je

    Port City Smokehouse - Salmon wraps and salads

    Salmon wraps and salads

    Port City Smokehouse - Our famous pate including the best selling  whitefish pate.  Fish and chips, fish market,  fried fish, seafood market, jerky, lobster roll

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    Our famous pate including the best selling whitefish pate. Fish and chips, fish market, fried fish, seafood market, jerky, lobster roll

    Carlson's Fishery - seafoodmarkets - Updated September 2026

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