Boats & Fishing Heritage
Meet the working vessels, equipment, and traditions that carried the fishery onto the lake.
Explore the boats →
New: Visitor CenterStart your visit here →
Boats of West ShoreMeet the seven boats →
Explore the groundsOpen the map →
The Bailey HouseTake the audio tour →
The Living LakeTrails, boardwalk, and shore →
Menominee, Michigan · Great Lakes fishing heritage
Where the Lake Made a Living
Explore the boats, buildings, shoreline, and stories of a commercial fishing community on the waters of Green Bay.
Green Bay is part of the Lake Michigan system and the larger Great Lakes fishing story.
West Shore Fishing Museum
A place shaped by work, water, and community.
West Shore preserves the boats, buildings, stories, and natural shoreline of a Great Lakes fishing community on Green Bay. Here, commercial fishing heritage and the living landscape belong to the same story.
Part of the Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage Trail
West Shore is also a Michigan Registered Historic Site.
Explore West Shore
More than a museum building.
Walk through the working history of the fishery, family life, archives, shoreline, and trails.
The Bailey House
Step inside the Bailey family home and discover everyday life at the heart of the fishery.
Visit the house →
Williams-Ruleau Visitor Center & Archives
Begin your visit, browse the gift shop, and discover preserved local history in the archive room.
Start here →Trails, Shoreline & The Living Lake
Walk the boardwalk, explore the trails, and see how Green Bay continues to shape this place.
Explore the grounds →Boats of West Shore
The work happened on Green Bay.
West Shore’s boat displays tell the story of changing fishing methods, generations of labor, and the vessels built for the Great Lakes.
Kate A
A restored gill net boat and one of the museum’s signature vessels.
Lucy R
Part of the museum’s outdoor boat displays and the larger story of commercial fishing.
Mary Kay
A modern trap net boat connecting historic practice with later Great Lakes fishing.
Swipe to see more
Also on the grounds: Emma, Kathy, Judy, and Carey — seven named boats in all. Take the Boats Tour →
Start with the story
See how West Shore became a fishing community.
The museum’s introductory film brings together the people, places, and working traditions you’ll encounter across the grounds.
Plan your visit
Come for the boats. Stay for the shore.
Begin at the Williams-Ruleau Visitor Center, then explore the Bailey House, boat displays, historic work spaces, trails, boardwalk, and Green Bay shoreline.
West Shore Fishing Museum
N5156 State Hwy M-35
Menominee, MI 49858
In Bailey Park, about 15 miles north of Menominee
West Shore is seasonal. Check Facebook for current open dates, hours, and events before making a special trip.
Keep the story alive
Support West Shore
Help preserve the boats, buildings, collections, archives, and landscape for the next generation.
Donate →
This museum runs on volunteers
Become part of the story
Volunteers welcome visitors, care for the grounds, support events, preserve artifacts, help with archives, and share local history.
Explore volunteer opportunities →volunteer@westshorefishingmuseum.org