Peterson’s Fish Market in Hancock is a family‑run operation built on one guiding principle: freshness. Pat Peterson and her family, catch, fillet, smoke, and serve Lake Superior whitefish just miles from where it’s pulled from the water.

The Petersons come from generations of commercial fishing and are members of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. After early pushback when they arrived in Michigan, the community eventually embraced their market. Today, locals and visitors line up for fried whitefish, smoked fish chowder, and other homemade dishes at Four Suns Fish & Chips.

They fish year‑round, work with biologists to protect the lake, and credit their success to the people who show up day after day. For the Petersons, it’s simple: respect the water, serve fresh fish, and take care of the community that takes care of them.

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