By Marissa Fellows, Founder of Great Lakes Tinned Fish
My name's Marissa, and I’m the founder of Great Lakes Tinned Fish — the first, Midwest-based tinned fish company sourcing exclusively from the Great Lakes region. I've been absolutely loving watching you all discover how great our cold-smoked whitefish is, and, as more of you stumble upon another tin to love, I thought I'd take a moment — as the chaos of launch wears off — to share a bit of how this all began.
Where It All Started
The idea for Great Lakes Tinned Fish actually began a bit farther from home (my "absence makes the heart grow fonder" era away from the Great Lakes). I was living on the East Coast in Boston, spending my time shucking oysters and eating boatloads of seafood. One night, I went on a date at a woman-owned natural wine bar. And while the date didn’t last, something much more important did.
What stuck with me was their incredible menu — an extensive natural wine list paired with an equally curated selection of tinned fish. I thought, “This is the perfect match.” That moment sparked a question: Why don’t we have this in the Great Lakes?
Coming Home to Michigan
With our deep-rooted love for fishing, fresh catch, and the water itself, the Great Lakes felt like the obvious home for a brand like this. So I moved back to Michigan, and watched with delight as demand for tinned fish began to rise nationwide. People were starting to understand what I already knew: tinned fish is simple, flavorful, and perfect for snacking at home or on the go.
A New Chapter for Great Lakes Fish
Now, we’re here — having officially launched our first product and expanding into select retailers across the Midwest and beyond (just check out our store locator to find a spot near you!).
This is just the beginning of our love affair: for sharing what makes the Great Lakes so great with the world, hosting people 'round our tables, and celebrating culinary creativity straight from the fresh coast. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and TikTok for inspiration, fresh recipes, and behind-the-scenes content as we continue growing and sharing more of what we're all about.
It's so great to be a part of this crew.
With gratitude,
Marissa
