Oshkosh Public Museum

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

Ed Gorchals is interviewed by Dick Koerner about his experiences sturgeon fishing on Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin and the surrounding area. He discusses rule and sport changes, set line and hook and line fishing in the past, and recipes for sturgeon and their caviar.

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

Bill McAloon is interviewed on January 30, 2007 by Eugene Herubin about his experiences sturgeon fishing. McAloon primarily fishes on Wolf River, but also on Lake Winnebago. McAloon discussed his experiences as a youth when it was common for people to fish sturgeon out of the river, as well as the shift in legality of these methods as well as local mindset regarding such practices. Tape recording ends abruptly and early in interview.

Eugene Herubin Unknown University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Clement M. Van Gompel People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Clem Van Gompel describes growing up in Lake Winnebago area, working for Kimberly-Clark during World War II, and experiences fishing sturgeon. He made his own decoys with resources from his work. Clem discusses methods of attracting sturgeon and illuminating the lake bottom to see fish better, as well as benefits of Sturgeon for Tomorrow in maintaining sturgeon population and increasing it in other lakes and rivers.

Eugene Herubin Menasha, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Mike Will People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Mike Will was born in 1951 and started sturgeon fishing at the age of 14. He used primarily set lines to catch sturgeon although he has participated in approximately 9 spearing seasons. He enjoys caviar, but does not make it himself. Mike believes that the sturgeon are getting bigger, and he likes the system they have in place now. Most people from his area sell the sturgeon, rather than eat it themselves.

Ronald M. Bruch, Kathleen Schmitt Kline Lake Winnebago, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
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