 Both companies quickly grew, shipping lake herring, walleye, and whitefish via ice-filled rail cars to customers throughout the eastern United States.By the 1920s and 1930s, Bay Port was known as the largest freshwater fishing port in the world, with over 30 fishing boats working from the port.Operations in what is now the historic district included ports for the boats, and also processing of the catch, repairs, and advertising and promotional offices.