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Welcome to PURDY’S FISH MARKET one of Southwestern Ontario's finest
hidden gems offering you the finest in Fresh Lake Fish since 1900!
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THE HISTORY OF PURDY FISHERIES



"COMMERCIAL FISHING…POINT EDWARD’S FIRST INDUSTRY, SINCE 1838". THAT WAS THE YEAR NEW YORKER JOHN SLOCUM MOVED TO POINT EDWARD AND STARTED WORKING AS A FISHERMAN. BY 1940, 16 FAMILIES WERE INVOLVED IN THE LOCAL INDUSTRY. SINCE 1978, HOWEVER, ONE FAMILY HAS BEEN SYNONYMOUS WITH FISHING…THE PURDY FAMILY.
With docks in Point Edward, Port Franks and Grand Bend, Purdy’s has a thriving business that has spanned over a century of time and four generations of family and is still going strong. Every weekday morning since the turn of the 20th Century, the Purdy Family has fished the waters of Lake Huron.

William Jeremiah Purdy founded the fishery in 1900, with a pair of hoop nets and a dream. Times were tough then; fishing was simply a way of getting food and making a few dollars at the same time.

It was 1927 when the 2nd Generation, Ronald Purdy, joined the family business. At this time, the fishery was located out on Blackwell Road, in Sarnia Township. Wooden boats were launched from the beach in those days and the men cut and trimmed their own 60-foot stakes to drive into the lake bottom to hold the pond nets in place.

Founder W. J. Purdy
Ronald T. Purdy is shown driving the truck, while founder of Purdy Fisheries, W.J Purdy sits on the top left side of the truck.
The original fishery building in the distance along with one of the original wooden boats.
In 1940, Purdy Fisheries was relocated to its present site, on the St. Clair River’s waterfront, in the Village of Point Edward.

The land was extremely swampy, making construction difficult, but the access to the fishing grounds was excellent. “The original fishery building was raised up on stilts above the river bed”. Fish in those days was hauled by horses down to the South end of Sarnia and transferred onto railway cars for distribution. With crates of fish weighing in at 150 lbs. each, and with no machinery to assist, fishing was definitely a physically demanding profession.

In 1948, the "stilted" Purdy Fisheries was renovated into what is today, the site of Purdy’s packing and processing plant. Back in those days, crowds of onlookers used to cram the docks trying to catch a glimpse of the day’s catch.

The original Purdys fishery building was raised up on stilts above the river bed
The crew makes its way in after a day of bailin with onlookers awaiting to see the days catch.
It was during this time that the business grew and Purdy’s began to retail fish to local residents. Leah Purdy, WJ’s only daughter, took on this venture. The 3rd Generation of Purdy’s began to get their feet wet, in the family business, at this time as well. Evelyn & Milford Purdy, Ron’s children, began selling fish, at a very young age, to local residents, from a Fish Monger’s cart. Their participation grew into further involvement later in life. Evelyn managed the Purdy’s retail operation after Leah, and Milford began to take on more and more responsibility in the 1960’s & 70’s, and later took over the operation, from his father. Ron Purdy Jr. also took on his own division of the fishery and ensured that all of Purdy’s fish being sold, on the wholesale market, was routed to the proper destinations.
In the mid-80’s, the 4th Generation of Purdy’s became involved. Tim and Rob Purdy began fishing alongside their Dad, Milford. As well, their sister Stephanie followed in the footsteps of her aunts and began to work in the retail store.
Purdy Fisheries as seen from the riverside, just south of the Blue Water Bridges.
Every day brings a new challenge for Purdy Fisheries. The Purdy’s are proud to say that they have put a quality product on many dinner tables for many years. Sound business practices and hard work make Purdy Fisheries successful, but it is a love for the lake and the family tradition that make it worthwhile. Family roots the success of the fishery in the past, and its future success is in the hands of family and in the depths of Lake Huron’s waters.
Milford Purdy, president of Purdy Fisheries stepping off one of the trap net boats.