NPLSF photo A portion of a dock at Fisherman's Home on Isle Royale National Park. Volunteers from the National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation and other organizations conducted clean up at the property last month.

ISLE ROYALE –In early August, The National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation (NPLSF) and its partners tackled a massive cleanup at Fisherman’s Home, a historic commercial fishing camp at Isle Royale National Park. The project was a big group effort by the National Park Service, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, NPLSF staff, volunteers, and board members.

Commercial fishing at the site ended decades ago. As with all former life-lease properties at Isle Royale, the life-leasee is expected to work with the park service to remove personal property. After years of limited use and without local family members available to assist, buildings at this site required significant effort to remove accumulated trash and impacts of weather and animals on the building contents.

After three days of hard work documenting details for historic records and removing refuse, the buildings 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 use of structures at Fisherman’s Home will be determined based on the general management plan for the park. Swanke notes that park visitors are always welcome to explore the exterior of former fisheries and family camp sites.

Nationally known journalist Stephanie Pearson joined the volunteer group–stay and promises to file a feature story about the project.