University of Wisconsin Board of Regents

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Interviewee Sort descending Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
Frederick Binkowski, Part 1 People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Frederick Binkowski, an aquaculturist with a significant focus on sturgeon propagation, has contributed extensively to the field of fishery science through both practical and research-oriented endeavors. His career, marked by a dedication to understanding and improving the conditions for raising sturgeon in controlled environments, spans several decades. Binkowski's work has been pivotal in addressing the complexities associated with sturgeon aquaculture, including breeding, egg incubation, and larval rearing.

Kathleen Schmitt Kline Unknown University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Frederick Binkowski, Part 2 People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Frederick Binkowski, a senior research scientist at the Water Institute, has dedicated a significant portion of his career to the study and conservation of sturgeon species. Binkowski studies sturgeon biology, including the intricacies of their feeding habits, breeding, and rearing in laboratory conditions. His work has not only advanced the scientific community's understanding of sturgeon but also contributed to practical conservation efforts, such as the rehabilitation project on the upper Fox River initiated in 2002.

Kathleen Schmitt Kline Unknown University of Wisconsin Board of Regents
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
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
Gordon Priegel People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Ronald M. Bruch interviews Gordon Priegel, former DNR fish manager in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Priegel, who worked in Oshkosh from 1959 to 1970, was instrumental in many of the conservation practices and development of available knowledge on Lake Winnebago’s sturgeon population, both of which are still of great importance today. Priegel discusses research he conducted and memories from his working life.

Ronald M. Bruch Baraboo, 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
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
Haze Diemel, Jr. People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Haze Diemel Jr.'s family is from the Wolf River region of Wisconsin. His grandfather, Herman Diemel, established the family’s presence in the area, initially utilizing the land for gardening and farming. Haze Sr. established a tavern there in 1932. Haze Jr. grew up on the family farm, which included cultivated land and woodland and participated in traditional fishing practices from an early age. Haze Jr. continued the family tradition of sturgeon fishing, a practice that spanned multiple generations.

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

Dominic C. Carmona interviews Howard Wruck about his own and his family's history with sturgeon spearing. Howard discusses cooking methods for sturgeon and spearing stories.

Dominic Carmona Oshkosh, 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