University of Wisconsin Board of Regents

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

Eric Cheslock was born in 1956 and raised in Menasha, Wisconsin. He developed a strong connection to the local waterways, frequently fishing on Little Lake Butte Des Morts and Lake Winnebago. Cheslock has been employed at SCA Tissue for twenty-eight years. His family consists of six boys, many of whom share his enthusiasm for outdoor activities like hunting and fishing. Eric Cheslock's interest in sturgeon spearing began in 1985 through the influence of a friend. He is known for his dedication to the sport, having participated in spearing seasons that previously spanned sixteen days.

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
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
Linda Wendt People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Linda Wendt, the owner of Wendt’s On the Lake, talks about her experiences with sturgeon spearing and the impacts of sturgeon spearing on her business. She tells one of her favorite stories and talks about being awarded Wisconsin’s restaurateur of the year. 

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

Russell Collar describes his experiences fishing for sturgeon using snag lines. He explains his “closest call with a warden”, how to tie sturgeon, when his father was pulled in, and what happened to his albino sturgeon. He also describes his earliest memory of sturgeon fishing, and how he thinks the river has changed.

Ronald M. Bruch, Kathleen Schmitt Kline Shiocton, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Irene L. Halfmann People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Irene Halfmann and her husband Greg Halfmann of Malone, Wisconsin discuss their experiences sturgeon fishing. Bill Casper interviews them about Irene’s big catches of 1952 and 1979, methods of cooking sturgeon, how to prevent shanties from blowing around the lake, and the painting of their manual ice saw as art for their 50th wedding anniversary.

Bill Casper Malone, 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