Tom Irvine Executive Director at National Parks Of Lake Superior Foundation | National Parks Of Lake Superior Foundation
Tom Irvine Executive Director at National Parks Of Lake Superior Foundation | National Parks Of Lake Superior Foundation
In August 2025, the National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation (NPLSF) collaborated with several partners to conduct a large-scale cleanup at Fisherman’s Home, a historic commercial fishing camp located in Isle Royale National Park. The initiative involved the National Park Service, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, NPLSF staff, volunteers, and board members.
Commercial fishing operations at Fisherman’s Home ended many years ago. Like other former life-lease properties on Isle Royale, the expectation is that life-lease holders work with the park service to remove personal property from the site. In this case, years of limited use and absence of local family members led to significant accumulation of trash and damage caused by weather and animals.
The team spent three days documenting historical details and clearing refuse from the buildings. As a result, all structures at Fisherman’s Home are now empty.
"This is the second site cleanup we have done with the hard-working NPLSF board members. Both have been great team efforts—and I appreciate the help from Grand Portage, the NPLSF, and staff from Apostle Islands National Lakeshore,” said Isle Royale National Park Superintendent Denice Swanke.
Future decisions about how to use the structures at Fisherman's Home will be made according to Isle Royale's general management plan. Swanke also stated that visitors are welcome to explore the exterior areas of former fisheries and family campsites.
Stephanie Pearson, a journalist known nationally for her environmental reporting, joined as a volunteer for this project. A more detailed account is expected in an upcoming story.
The NPLSF supports projects like this through grants and private donations to help preserve natural resources and cultural heritage across five national parks around Lake Superior: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Grand Portage National Monument, Isle Royale National Park, Keweenaw National Historical Park, and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. These efforts aim to maintain these sites for both current visitors and future generations.
For more information or to support their work financially visit nplsf.org/donate.
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