Wellman’s has outfitted fishers, fed families since 1972
Roger Byrne purchased Wellman’s Party and Bait at 910 S. State St. in Oscoda in 2023, but the business has been a staple in the community since March 1972.
“I’d worked here for three or four years prior to even thinking about buying it,” Byrne said. “It came up in a general conversation post-COVID. Ross, who I worked for, took over from his father, Ralph, and he was, for the most part, on his way out.”
There are different facets to Wellman’s — the food side, where fresh seafood and meat can be purchased, and the tackle side, where novices to experts can find high-quality gear.
“I was more working on the fishing side, and Ross’ wife and stepson ran the kitchen side,” Byrne said. “I saw the writing on the wall, with the fishing in the area getting better, and that’s what perked my ears up to wanting to do something like this, to own a business.
“I’ve been an avid fisherman my whole life, and I never really thought this was going to be my journey. I got lucky to do something I’m so passionate about.”
The water near Oscoda hasn’t always been healthy. According to Byrne, fishing on the “big water,” for a while, was much slower.
“We had a big crash in the early 2000s, but through work with the (Michigan Department of Natural Resources) … we have probably the best Atlantic fishery in the state. We also started getting coho (salmon) about four years ago, and our return rates are exceeding expectations.
“We get a fairly decent sized king salmon run. That was essentially what was measured in the big crash, and we’re starting to see Mother Nature find balance.”
Fishing on the Au Sable River, he said, is especially fun.
“On the river, it’s a very concentrated number of fish in a relatively small area. Our first dam is only 17 miles from the mouth, where other dams are 100 miles island. There’s a rather large one-month window where Atlantic salmon hang out by the pier and you don’t even need access to a boat.”
In general, Byrne said, the fish are getting healthier and healthier. Wellman’s seeks to capitalize on that, educating and aiding customers, whether they’re regulars or first-time visitors. Part of that is providing the best of the best.
“We pride ourselves on what we believe and our customers believe are the best steaks you’ll find north of Saginaw,” Byrne said.
“All of our meat comes from Texas. We get them in loin form and break them down into cuts. We like to pass deals on to our customers. We grind our own burger here, which I think is a lost art. We smoke our own fish, we make our own breakfast sausage. It’s really a part-butcher shop.”
Wellman’s carries cod, tuna fish, crab rangoon, shrimp, lobster tail, crab legs, salmon, bluegill, perch, mussels — and, from time to time, seafood that’s not consistently found in the area, at lower than retail price.
On the tackle side, fishers will find Michigan products alongside standard supplies.
“These are makers who have, for years, spent time on the water and developed patterns and colors and lures they know work for our fish,” Byrne said.
But setting aside the offerings, what makes Wellman’s so popular?
“During COVID we learned, if you try to limit people’s access to something, they’re going to get outdoors and find a way to have fun,” Byrne said. “That was great. It truly was.
“With the customers I have, they look forward to seeing me and seeing the business, and it really feels like you’ve got a large family backing you. That’s one of the things I love about owning a business in Oscoda. There’s so many people who want to see your success.”
Visiting the area for the first time? Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
“We’re an old-time bait shop,” Byrne said. “We’ll help you more than just putting a lure in front of you. If you’re a novice, we’ll help rig you up in the store. We’ll work with you on knots, show you how to do it. We want people to discover the great outdoors that Oscoda has to offer, and we’re willing to go the extra mile to help them find that success themselves.”