Bill Goeser
People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish
People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin’s Love Affair with an Ancient Fish showcases the cultural and scientific history of an iconic Wisconsin fish, the lake sturgeon. Throughout the process of writing the book, the authors interviewed community activists, sturgeon-spearing enthusiasts, spear and decoy craftsmen, and scientific researchers associated with the Lake Winnebago sturgeon population. Because of the cultural, social, economic, and scientific knowledge captured in these interviews, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Wisconsin Water Library preserved the audio files as a collection of oral histories. This collection, People of the Sturgeon, encapsulates perspectives on lake sturgeon as they are reflected in the book. The People of the Sturgeon collection includes interviews with outdoorsmen, scientists, and craftsmen associated with the Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, lake sturgeon population.
The collection was compiled by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Wisconsin Water Library. Audio courtesy of the Oshkosh Public Museum. Recordings were collected as part of the research for People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish published by Wisconsin Historical Society Press, Madison, Wisconsin.
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On August 9, 2007, Bill and Dave Goeser were interviewed for the People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish project. Bill Goeser, 85 years old at the time of the interview, was born and raised in Stockbridge, Wisconsin. His family has a long history of involvement in sturgeon spearing, a tradition that has been passed down through generations. Bill Goeser begins by recounting how his grandfather, despite having only one arm, was able to spear sturgeon by holding the spear over the top and stabbing downward. He recalls his first experience on the ice at the age of seven or eight, noting that back then, there were very few fishermen, around seventeen or eighteen, on the lake. He explains how they traveled to the lake with a horse and cutter, a sled-like vehicle with runners instead of wheels, and describes the method of cutting rectangular holes in the ice for spearing. The interview covers various aspects of sturgeon spearing, including the techniques used by both European settlers and Native Americans. Bill explains how the Native Americans would sit on the ice covered with blankets, using spears with ropes and bobbers to follow the sturgeon after spearing. He also talks about the communal nature of the activity, with many fishermen being friends, neighbors, or members of the local Indigenous community. Bill and Dave discuss the changes in sturgeon spearing over the years, including the introduction of tags and regulations. They reflect on the economic and social aspects of the practice, emphasizing its importance in bringing together family and friends. The conversation includes anecdotes about the difficulties and dangers associated with ice fishing, such as the tragic incident of a team of horses falling through the ice while cutting it for freezing purposes. The Goesers also delve into the culinary traditions associated with sturgeon. They describe various methods of preparing and cooking sturgeon, such as frying, smoking, and making creamed sturgeon. Bill shares fond memories of family gatherings centered around sturgeon feasts and the importance of these events in maintaining family bonds and cultural heritage. Throughout the interview, Bill and Dave highlight the evolution of equipment and techniques in sturgeon spearing. They discuss the construction of spearing shanties, the use of decoys, and the development of spears, including the innovative use of car parts like leaf springs to create durable spears.
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