Fish Tugs of the Greatest Lake

Commercial Fishermen of the Bayfield Area
Past and Present

With additional information submitted from other Great Lakes ports

Men of many facets: top row, left-right: Pete Peterson, unknown, Mike Ludvigson, Tony Thompson; bottom row: Pete Thompson, Chris Hadland, Lenus Jacobson, Pete Williams. Photo taken about 1910.

A continuing effort to compile a list of fishermen who worked the waters around the Apostle Islands. This list will be under constant revision; if you know of a name that needs to be added, please e-mail fishtug@centurylink.net

Part 3: M-Z

Back to Part 1, A-D

Back to Part 2, E-L

M

MALMGREN, NEIL Currently fishing the ALLISON B. II. He has renamed the boat KATHERINE. Malmgren is from Baraga, and fishes out of Portage Entry, MI, the lower end of the Keweenaw Waterway.

MATTSON, ROY He worked for various fishermen in the 1930s and 40s.

MCQUADE, DOUGLAS He worked for various fishermen in the 1940s.

MEYERS, CARL Fished his own gillnet and poundnet rig from the late 1930s until the late 1950s. SEE BOAT

MILLER, EINAR (SHINE) A principal in the loss of the steam tug fish tug THOMAS FRIANT in 1924.

MOE, ED The brother of Louis Moe, he ran steam tugs for Booth Fisheries in the early years of the 20th century.

MOE, ELVIS The son of Louis Moe, he fished with his father from an early age, and continued on his own after the death of his father. He built a new boat in about 1937 and continued fishing until some time in the early 1940s.

MOE, LOUIS A native of Norway, he purchased land on Sand Island in the early 1880s and fished from the Island his entire life.

MONTANO, MIKE He started fishing with his own rig in the early 1990s. SEE BOAT (1) SEE BOAT (2)

MOON, ROBERT Worked for various fishermen in the 1930s and 40s.

MOON, WILLIAM Fished for a number of years with John Frostman in the 1950s.

N

NELSON, CHRIS A native of Norway, and a brother of John Nelson, he was engaged in fishing from Rocky Island in 1913. He left the fishery in the 1920s.

NELSON, JOHN (1882-1959) A native of Norway, Nelson came to the U.S. as an adult. He worked for many years as a logger, then took employment as hired man to the Hokenson brothers at Little Sand Bay. He was immensely strong, and tales of his muscular prowess are still repeated. His one-room cabin can be seen along the National Lakeshore entrance road. MORE ABOUT JOHN NELSON

NELSON, JOHN (1878-1964) A native of Norway, he came to Bayfield in 1897. After working for various fishermen he bought a fish rig and started fishing from Bear Island in 1909. He retired in 1938 after fishing from Stockton Island since 1919.

NELSON, JULIAN The son of John Nelson, he fished with his father from an early age, and continued in the fishing after returning from military service in WW II. He retired in the 1960s. SEE BOAT

NELSON, NORMAN The son of John Nelson, he worked with his father and with other fishermen in the early 1930s, before moving to California.

NELSON, REUBEN (1922-1982) Originally from Sturgeon Bay, WI. He moved his pound net fishery to Bayfield in the early 1950s, and operated from here until his death in a car accident in Florida.

NEVEAUX, FRANCIS (CABBY) He worked for various fishermen from the late 1930s until the late 1950s, as a crew member and also captained fish boats during herrng fishing.

NEVEUX, JOSEPH Mentioned in the Bayfield County Press, 1884, as a fisherman residing on Sand Island.

NEWAGO, ALAN Worked for fishermen and later acquired his own rig in the 1970s. Now retired. SEE BOAT (1) SEE BOAT (2) SEE BOAT (3)

NEWAGO, DAVID A. In 1958-1959 he fished the FAIR LADY . He now fishes with his brother Alan Newago, on the THOMAS C. MULLEN.

NEWAGO, JOSEPH (JUNIOR) After fishing with a small open boat, acquired a 38 ft. steel hulled vessel in the 1980s. Is presently operating with his son, on a seasonal basis. SEE BOAT

NEWAGO, JOSEPH A., Sr. He presently fishes in the Houghton, MI area and has a fish market east of Houghton, on U.S. Highway 41.

NEWAGO, MICHAEL He worked for various fishermen from the 1940s to the 1960s.

NEWAGO, STEVE The son of Junior Newago.

NEWAGO, THOMAS (TOMMY) A brother of Alan and Junior Newago, he worked for various fishermen and acquired his own rig in the 1970s. He has since retired. SEE BOAT

NEWAGO, VINCENT (STICKER) He worked for various fishermen on gillnet boats and also in poundnet Operations during the 1940s and into the 1960s.

NEWAGO, WALTER (SAMMY) Worked for various fishermen in the 1950s and 60s.

NIES, E. THEODORE (TED) He came from North Dakota in the late 1930s and farmed and fished from Madeline Island until the mid 1940s, when he moved to Bayfield. He fished until the late 1950s. Traces of his fish camp can be seen on Rocky Island. SEE BOAT

NIES, GEORGE The son of Ted Nies, he fished with his father from an early age, and also after military service. He eventually left the area.

NIES, REINHARD (RHINEY) The son of Ted Nies, he fished with his father for a time and also worked for several other fishermen.

NIES, ROBERT The son of Ted Nies, he worked mostly for various fishermen before moving on to other employment.

NILSEN, JOHN V. A native of Norway, he came to Bayfield in the late 19th century. He fished from Gull Island, which he owned. He died at a rather young age in 1915.

NORING, BERTRAM (BERT) A native of Norway, he lived on Sand Island and fished from there his entire working life.

NORING, WILLIAM A son of Bert Noring, he fished from Sand Island for a few years before taking up other employment. SEE BOAT

NOURSE, DAVID Fished with his brother Harvey Lyle for a number of years.

NOURSE, EDWARD (EDDIE) A son of Laurie Nourse, Sr., he worked with is father and also for various other fishermen.

NOURSE, HARVEY LYLE Fished his own rig from the early 1940s until the mid 1960s. Fished under the ice during the winter.

NOURSE, LAURIE, JR. Fished in partnership with several others in a trapnet operation in the 1970s. Also ran a smelt fishing operation for Bodin Fisheries.

NOURSE, LAURIE,SR. Fished his own rig from the late 1930s to the early 1950s. SEE BOAT

O

O'DAY, PATRICK (PADDY) He worked for various fishermen most of his life. From the 1930s and into the late 1960s.

O'DAY, WILLIAM A brother of Paddy O'Day, he worked for fishermen in the 1920s and 30s.

OLSEN, HJALMER (GOVERNOR) A son of Louis Olsen, he fished from Manitou Island in the 1940s.

OLSEN, LOUIS (1878-1959) A native of Norway, he farmed and also fished most of his life.

OLSEN, OLE (1891-1979) A native of Norway, he engaged in commercial fishing his entire life.

OLSEN, RASMUS (1901-1989) A native of Norway and the brother of Ole Olsen, worked in the fishing all Through the 1920s before joining the U.S. Lighthouse Service.

OLSEN, THEODORE A son of Louis Olsen, he worked with his father and also for other fishermen.

OLSON, OTTO A keeper at Outer Island Light, he fished in the area in the early 1900s.

OLSON, WILLIAM O. (WILLIE) He worked for various fishermen off and on during the 1950s and 60s.

P

PALMER, ROY From Duluth. In August of 1878 he was engaged in fishing at the south end of Outer Island.

PARKER, WALTER (BOGUS) He fished with a small boat from Michigan Island and also various other islands.

PARKER, WALTER A son of Bogus Parker, he fished his father in the late 1920s and later joined the U.S. Lighthouse Service and eventually U.S. Coast Guard.

PARKS, ALBERT (AL) He worked for various fishermen in the 1940s and 50s.

PARKS, RONALD The son of Al Parks, he worked for various fishermen in the 1950s and 60s.

PEACOCK, MICHAEL He worked for various fishermen in the 1940s.

PETERSON, CECIL (GRUMPY) The son of Wilfred Peterson, he worked with his father for a few years later started up on his own in the 1970s. SEE BOAT (1) SEE BOAT (2)

PETERSON, DUANE The son of Wilfred Peterson, he had his own rig in the 1970s and early 1980s, but has since sold his rig and taken up other employment. SEE BOAT

PETERSON, ERIC The son of Martin E. Peterson, Jr. He fishes with his father.

PETERSON, GILMORE The son of Wilfred Peterson, he started out working for his father and went on his own In the 1970s.

PETERSON, KEITH (SPANKY) The son of Martin E. Peterson, Jr. He worked with his father after finishing high school and got his own rig in 1988, which he operated until 1993, when he left the fishery to take up other employment. SEE BOAT

PETERSON, LEONARD The son of Martin Peterson, Sr., he fished with his brother Martin for a number of years before acquiring his own rig in 1967. SEE BOAT (1) SEE BOAT (2)

PETERSON, LOUIS (BUTTS) The son of Martin Peterson, Sr., he fished his entire working life. SEE BOAT

PETERSON, MARTIN E. III (MARTY) The son of Martin Peterson. He also fishes with his father.

PETERSON, MARTIN E., JR. He worked for various fishermen before acquiring his own rig in the late 1950s and has continued in the fishery until the present. SEE BOAT (1) SEE BOAT (2) SEE BOAT (3)

PETERSON, MARTIN E., SR. He fished from Red Cliff in the 1930s and into the 40s.

PETERSON, MICHAEL The son of Cecil Peterson, he worked with his father and then acquired his own rig.

PETERSON, WALTER (BUD) After working for various fishermen during the 1940s and 50s he acquired his own rig and fished for a number of years.

PETERSON, WILFRED The son of Martin Peterson, Sr., he has been a fisherman his entire life. Recently retired, his grandsons have now taken over the operation. SEE BOAT (1) SEE BOAT (2)

PETERSON, WILLIAM The son of Martin Peterson, Sr., he worked in the fishery for many years.

PETIT, JOHN Described in the Bayfield County Press, February 28, 1928, as a local fisherman, he loses several fingers to frostbite incurred while walking on the ice to his island fish camp.

PLOUD, GUS Name given alternately as Gust Plud, Plude, Plaud, etc., he was mentioned in a 1905 Outer Island lighthouse log as "an old French trapper from the South end of this island." His 1927 obituary, however, describes him as "fisherman of Manitou Island for the past 37 years."

POWERS, GEORGE He fished with his brother for a few years before he drowned while walking to Bayfield from Stockton Island on the ice one spring in the mid 1940s.

POWERS, ORVILLE He worked for fishermen in the late 1930s and early 40s and then acquired his own rig. He fished for many years before retiring in the early 1970s.

R

RABIDEAUX, ALLEN A son of Frank Rabideaux, he worked for fishermen and also fished his own rig under the ice in the 1980s and into the 90s.

RABIDEAUX, DANIEL A son of Frank Rabideaux, he worked for various fishermen in the 1950s.

RABIDEAUX, FRANK He worked as an engineer on fish boats, for LaPointe Bros. in the 1940s.

REITEN, CARL (SLIPPERY) A brother of Halvor, he fished with his brother-in-law Ted Bainbridge in the early 1930s and in the late 1940s.

REITEN, HALVOR Well-known as a boat builder, he was a part owner in the steam fish tug THOMAS FRIANT which sank off Port Wing in 1924.

ROY, ALEX He worked for various fishermen during the 1930s and 40s and well into the 1950s

ROY, JOSEPH He crewed on fish boats during herring fishing in the 1940s and early 50s. Also mentioned in Bayfield County Press, February 1931, as fishing through the winter from a camp on Oak Island.

ROY, LIONEL A son of Joe Roy, he worked for various fishermen during the 1940s and 1950s.

RUMRILL, PLINY Michigan Island lighhouse keeper in the 1870s and 80s, he fished around Ironwood Island for at least one winter (1880-81.)

S

SANDSTROM, JOHN He worked for various fishermen, and was on board Ted Bodin's new fish tug Donna Marie when it was rammed and sunk off Duluth in the fall of 1938.

SANDSTROM, EMIL The uncle of John Sandstrom, he worked for various fishermen in the 1920s and 30s.

SCHELVAN, HILLMAN A brother of Ted Schelvan, he fished with Carl Ludwigsen in the 1930s.

SCHELVAN, THEODORE (TED) He worked for various fishermen before joining the U.S. Lighthouse Service in 1932.

SCHOENEICH, ROBERT (BOB) Originally from Saugatuck, Mich., he came to Bayfield in 1976 and worked for Jim Frostman at least 10 years. He returned to Michigan after that.

SCHULTZ, MICHAEL (MIKE) He worked for various fishermen in the 1940s 50s and 1960s.

SEIM, ANDREW He fished from his place at the north end of Big Bay on Madeline Island in the early 1900s.

SELLERS, CLYDE He worked for E.W. Bodin for many years, starting perhaps in the early 1930s and on into the mid 1940s.

SHARP, ELMER (GUM) He fished in partnership with Walt Lindquist in the mid 1940s.

SHAW, FRANK (1841-1914) The first white settler on Sand Island, Shaw was born in Erie, PA. After serving in the Civil War, he came to this area in 1871. He first took up residence on Madeline Island, later moving his family to Sand Island, where he engaged in both farming and fishing. At the height of his fishing activities he operated a fleet of four boats.

SHELLEY, EUGENE (CAPT. NEMO) The son of Oliver Shelley, he worked for fishermen and acquired his own rig in the late 1970s. He fished for a few years and then quit.

SHELLEY, OLIVER He worked for various fishermen from the early 1940s and well into the 1970s.

SHOVICK, CONRAD A native of Norway, he worked for various fishermen beginning in the 1930s. In 1947 he and his son acquired their own rig and operated for part of one season.

SHOVICK, ROBERT In the fishing for a brief period with his father, Conrad Shovick.

SHUGA, ROBERT He worked for various fishermen during the 1960s and early 1970s.

SIMMONS, MARK After working for various fishermen he acquired his own rig in the early 1980s. He operated for a few years and later took a buyout from the state. SEE BOAT

SMALLEY, LEONARD He worked on the ore boats during the shipping season and fished under the ice during the winter months all through the 1960s and early 1970s.

SMITH, ED He fished from a camp at Outer Island in 1881, as noted in the Lighthouse log book.

SMITH, JAMES A son of John Smith, he was fishing from Rocky Island in 1894. His 1913 obituary states that he was born at Beaver Island, Michigan, came to Bayfield as a young man and fished commercially until his retirement in 1910.

SMITH, JOHN He was operating from South Twin Island as early as 1870. In 1913, long after his death, he was described in the Bayfield County Press as "one of the Canadian pioneers."

SOPER, HIRAM A. (HIRA) He worked for various fishermen in the 1940s and into the 1960s.

SOULIER, LAWRENCE (BOOTIN) After working for various fishermen he had his own rig for a short time in the 1980s.

STENSON, ROBERT (STENS) He worked for his father-in-law during the mid to late 1940s, and also fished under the ice with Elmer Hendrickson.

STREGE, ROBERT Fished out of Racine, Wis., owning the boat Palmer from 1969 until the early 2000s. SEE BOAT

SWANES, CHARLES Drowned along with a man named Jorgenson when their boat capsized near Sand Island, 1889. Had been fishing "with a number of others" at Sand River. (Bayfield County Press.)

T

TANNER, ARNOLD The brother-in-law of Einar Ludwigsen, he worked for Ole Olsen in the 1940s.

TEIGEN, MATT Described in Bayfield County Press as a Michigan Island fisherman in a 1931 news story.

TEIGEN, SIEVERT Had a camp on Presque Isle, nearly lost his 26 foot gas boat in a November storm. (Bayfield County Press) SEE BOAT

THOMPSON, CHESTER (AMIE) He had his own rig in the late 1940s and early 50s.

THOMPSON, JUNE (TOMMY) A cousin of Julian Nelson, he worked for various fishermen from the early 1930s until the late 1950s. He fished with julian Nelson in the late 1940s and into the 50s.

TOPPING, BENJAMIN (BEN) He worked for various fishermen in the 1950s and '60s.

TROMBLEY, ED He fished with Hjalmer Olsen from Manitou Island in the 1930s.

U

UJKE, STANLEY In 1941 he bought the fish boat WALLACE from Christ Hadland and fished for a short time with his brother-in-law Leonard Gordon.

V

VAN BUREN, CHARLES He operated from Michigan Island sandpoint in the 1870s and 80s.

VANDER VENTER, ROBERT He worked for various fishermen in the 1970s.

VOROUS, O.J. He was employed as a captain on a Booth Fisheries tug in the early years of the 20th century.

W

WEST, CHARLES Son-in-law of Theodore Boutin, West fished with him from Oak Island in 1932.

WINSLOW, PHILIP He worked with his stepfather, Mike Hendrickson, at an early age and later had his own rig in late 1930s and early 1940s. He built his own boat, on the beach at Rocky Island in 1939.

WOLLAN, MARVIN A son of Ole Wollan, he worked for Irving Hadland, running a fish boat, in the 1940s.

WOLLAN, OLE A native of Norway, he worked for various fishermen in the early years of the 20th century. He also had his own rig for a short time, then went on the steamboats.

WOLLAN, ORVAL A son of Ole Wollan, he worked for various fishermen, fished his own nets under the ice, and also had a boat and rig which he operated for a short time in the mid 1940s.

X

Y

YOUNG, GILMORE He worked for various fishermen and also had his own net rig from the 1940s until the late 1950s.

YOUNG, LAWRENCE The son of Gilmore Young, he worked with his father during the 1960s.

YOUNG, WALLACE (WALLY) The brother of Gilmore Young, he worked for various fishermen from the 1930s until the early 1950s. He also operated with his brother from Oak Island during winter fishing.

Z

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