Oshkosh Public Museum

Interviewee Collection Sort descending Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
William Casper People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Kathleen Schmitt Kline interviews Bill Casper about memorabilia, books, track records and other associated paperwork associated with Sturgeon for Tomorrow.

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

Dave Grignon, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Menominee Tribe, is interviewed by Kathleen Kline Schmitt about tribal history with sturgeon. From creation stories to modern day, Dave explains the cultural significance of sturgeon to the Menominee people through time, as well as the care given to cooking sturgeon in ritually appropriate ways.

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

James Nadler discusses lake sturgeon spearing construction with the interviewer. James also discusses his experiences sturgeon spearing and changes in spearing over time. Interviewer identity unknown.

Unknown Stockbridge, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Gerald Van Straten People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Kathleen Schmitt Kline and Ronald M. Bruch interview Gerald Van Straten about cooking sturgeon, spear fishing, and poachers using snag lines. Gerald also discusses family stories of fishing, particularly from his grandfather.

Ronald M. Bruch , Kathleen Schmitt Kline Unknown University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Mike Wendt People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Mike Wendt is interviewed by Dick Ristow about Wendt's on the Lake, his family history in the Lake Winnebago area, shanties and decoys. He reminisces about being allowed to fish for other species of fish during sturgeon spearing season in the past as well. Mike discusses spearing in Michigan one season.

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

Eric Cheslock is interviewed about his experience sturgeon spearing. Eric talks about the sled saw he owns, a story about taking his dog out on the ice with him, and why he prefers fishing on Lake Poygan. Interviewer identity unknown.

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

In an interview conducted by Ronald M. Bruch and Kathleen Schmitt Kline, Dan Groeschel explains his family history and how he got started spearing. He describes the first time he speared a sturgeon, and how he accidentally pushed his brother into a hole. He also talks about how Sturgeon for Tomorrow got started, and where he sees the club going in the future. 

Ronald M. Bruch, Kathleen Schmitt Kline Fond du Lac, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Jerry Neumueller People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Jerry Neumueller talks about his experiences with sturgeon spearing and shares some of his knowledge about the sport.  He explains how to find a spot, cutting holes, moving shanties, using decoys, and throwing the spear straight.  He also talks about how things have changed over the years.

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

Estelle Wagner is interviewed by Kathleen Schmitt Kline about her history in the Lake Winnebago area of Wisconsin, including sturgeon spearing and its connection with her immigrant family. They listen to and discuss historical recordings she has about sturgeon culture from her father. Identities of other speakers on recording are unknown.

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

Shawn Wendt was born and raised at Wendt’s on the Lake. His grandfather, also a sturgeon spearer, started the restaurant. They also run a shanty rental business that his grandfather started.  Shawn is active in the sturgeon spearing community and has been treasurer of the Southwest Chapter of Sturgeon for Tomorrow for about 13 years. He recounts stories of his first catch at age 15 and a comical story about some shanty renters.

Dick Ristow Van Dyne, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum