A Tradition That Began in 1911

Great Lakes Fish Company is committed to carrying on a tradition that began by the Omstead family from a small fishing village on Lake Erie over a century ago.

Today, as the exclusive processor of Omstead brand freshwater lake smelt, Great Lakes Fish Company is the principal harvester of Lake Erie quotas. Our fleet of trawlers are dispatched seasonally for daily harvesting of lake smelt from the most productive of Canada’s Great Lakes.

Specializing in IQF freezing and finely-graded product, customers can count on exceptional quality and service, whether ordering the Omstead brand or requesting their own private label specifications.

Omstead Lake Erie smelt are the preferred choice by both new and long-standing customers from around the globe. Their delicate, sweet taste and wild caught freshwater flavor make them a popular menu item in food service, and a consumer favorite in retail stores.

Your Resource for Premium Quality Freshwater Lake Smelt.

At the Great Lakes Fish Company, our management team bring together over 140 years of combined experience in the fishing and food processing industries in addition to supporting customer requirements in food service and retail across North America, in Europe and Asia.

From our trawler captains and crew to the executive team everyone at GLFC is committed to maintaining the superior quality and personalized customer service that are synonymous with the Omstead brand and freshwater Lake Erie smelt.

We look forward to strengthening and growing relationships with our loyal customers and building new business opportunities for many years to come.

Bob Thickett
Vice President, Sales

Click to view the town and
fishing village of Wheatley.