Oshkosh Public Museum

Interviewee Collection Sort ascending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
John Jurgenson People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

 Dick Koerner interviews John Jurgenson about changes in ice fishing equipment changes since the old days of spearing and the group of people he typically spear with.

Dick Koerner Neenah, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
George Schmidt People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

George Schmidt is a woodcarver from Appleton who over the years has carved around 40 sturgeon decoys. In his interview with Dick Ristow, he begins with how he got started carving decoys, and then talks about how the pattern of his decoys evolved. This is followed by a brief explanation of the process and the materials used in making decoys. He continues very briefly with his limited sturgeon spearing experience. George also teaches a few classes a year on carving.

Dick Ristow Appleton, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Gwen Bowe People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Gwen Bowe, a resident of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, has been sturgeon fishing on Lake Winnebago since 1980. Her first catch was a significant one, marking the beginning of her independent fishing endeavors. This fish she speared was eventually donated to Case Western Reserve University when Robert Kennedy, Jr. contacted Bill Casper about getting a sturgeon to display in the museum. Prior to that, she had accompanied her husband on fishing trips but had not actively fished herself. 

Bill Casper Wabeno, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Dan Folz People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Kathleen Schmitt Kline interviews Dan Folz about his involvement with sturgeon through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He discusses studying and managing sturgeon and spawning site monitoring programs.

Kathleen Schmitt Kline Unknown University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
John Jurgenson People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

John Jurgenson discusses creation of sturgeon spears. Interviewer identity for August 2, 2007 interview is unknown.

Unknown Neenah, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Mary Lou Schneider People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Mary Lou Schneider is interviewed by Pat Braasch about how sturgeon spearing has impacted her life. Mary Lou discusses the process for creating decoys, from acquisition of materials to finishing touches. She also discusses large fish she has seen over the years, her own spearing track record, and the people she spends the most time with during spearing season.

Pat Braasch Unknown University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Richard Braasch People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Richard Braasch, born in 1935, hails from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and comes from a family of five children. His parents were of German descent, and his father worked at Winnebago State Hospital while also being a handyman mechanic. Braasch's mother was a homemaker who worked part-time at Fernau’s Roadside Market during the summer. Braasch grew up near Lake Winnebago, where he developed a passion for fishing, hunting, and swimming. He began sturgeon fishing with his father at the age of nine and has been an active member of the Sturgeon for Tomorrow organization.

Dick Ristow Oshkosh, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Mike Primising People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Mike Primising along with Dan Folz, retired DNR fish manager in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, tell stories of the early days of sturgeon scouting and tagging along the Wolf River. The men mention spawning sites and the advent of a technique known as riprapping, which greatly benefited the sturgeon population. Interviewed by Bob Marin, the two men also discuss other people who have worked at the DNR.

Bob Marin Wautoma, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Harry Kachur People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Bill McAloon interviews Harry Kachur about his experiences as a sturgeon fisher. Kachur considers himself largely unlucky, and most stories are mishaps he has had on the ice. He also mentions that he and his son Mike make decoys and tells a story about a poacher. Harry discusses his favorite cooking method of sturgeon and importance of the Sturgeon Advisory Committee.

Bill McAloon Menasha, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Vic Schneider People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Richard Braasch interviews Vic Schneider about exceptional sturgeon spearing stories and changes in the sport over time.

Richard Braasch Fond du Lac, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum