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

  • Collection DOI:
    Principal Investigator:
    Kathleen Schmitt Kline, Frederick P. Binkowski, Ronald M. Bruch

  • People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin’s Love Affair with an Ancient Fish a tale of 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 UW-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.

    Collection compiled by the UW-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, WI.

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Interviewee Collection Description Interviewer Date of Interview Location of Interview Affiliation
John Jurgenson People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

John Jurgenson discusses creation of sturgeon spears. Interviewer identity for August 2, 2007 interview is unknown.

 Unknown Neenah, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Mary Lou Schneider People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Mary Lou Schneider is interviewed by Pat Braasch about how sturgeon spearing has impacted her life. Mary Lou discusses the process for creating decoys, from acquisition of materials to finishing touches. She also discusses large fish she has seen over the years, her own spearing track record, and the people she spends the most time with during spearing season.

 Pat Braasch Unknown University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Ronald M. Bruch People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Ronald Bruch was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and spent his childhood summers in Ashland County, Wisconsin. Bruch attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he earned his bachelor's degree. He later obtained a master's degree and is completing his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Bruch began his career with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in 1976, starting as an intern in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He held various positions, including working on the O'Connor River Project and in Marinette and Milwaukee.

 Paul Muche Unknown University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Bob Frank People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Dick Koerner interviews Bob Frank about his experiences with sturgeon fishing. Frank discusses his techniques and superstitions, as well as his thoughts on regulation changes over the years. Frank mentions his favorite fishing stories from his own past and how he prefers to cook sturgeon.

 Dick Koerner Neenah, 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
Vic Schneider People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Richard Braasch interviews Vic Schneider about exceptional sturgeon spearing stories and changes in the sport over time.

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

Ronald Bruch was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He spent his summers in Ashland County, Wisconsin, where he developed a keen interest in sturgeon and other fish species in the Flambeau River. Bruch attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, earning his bachelor's degree in fisheries. He earned his master's degree and worked towards a Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Bruch began his professional career with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in 1976.

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

Vern Gebhart and his wife, Karla, talk about their history with sturgeon spearing. He tells stories about close calls on thin ice, the amount of sturgeon fishermen increasing, and the changes in the equipment used. Vern also discusses decoy carving with the interviewers, Ronald M. Bruch and Kathleen Schmitt Kline.

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

Ronald M. Bruch interviews Dick Koerner, avid sturgeon spearer since 1955. Dick relates numerous stories of memorable fishing incidents, as well as discussing his construction of his shanties and creation of spears and decoys.

 Ronald M. Bruch Neenah, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Pete Schuh People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Pete Schuh is interviewed by Dick Koerner about his experiences spear fishing, changes in regulations over time, and superstitions.

 Dick Koerner Menasha, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
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