The Kishman Fish Company

The Kishman Fish Company. . , Adam Kishman began his fishing business in 1864, four miles east of Vermilion, on the shore of Lake Erie. He used simple nets and boats to harvest his catch. His work force consisted of family members and local farmers, who assisted in their spare time. The fish were packed on ice, which had been harvested from Lake Erie, and then distributed by wagon and rail., In 1905, Adam's son, Henry, relocated the thriving business to the west bank of the Vermilion River and named it The Kishman Fish Company. They started with one tug and the operation increased rapidly. With advancements in technology, such as diesel power and electricity, the business continued to grow and expanded to three locations along the south shore of Lake Erie. In 1931, Henry's son, Lester, became involved in the family business and; upon Henry's death in 1948, became President., Through the years, The Kishman Fish Company had become an important part of the local economy and history of Vermilion. In the 1970s, commercial fishing began to decline due to overfishing and environmental and legislative restrictions. The Kishman Fish Company closed in 1984. The Fisherman's Bend condominiums now occupy the. former site of The Kishman Fish Company.