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
Ronald M. Bruch People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Clip One: Ron Bruch, Upper Fox-Wolf Fisheries Work Unit Supervisor, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is interviewed by Paul Muche. They discuss Bruch’s career in sturgeon management, research, and stewardship, as well as his efforts to maintain the tradition of sturgeon spearing on Lake Winnebago into the future. Bruch speaks about the science behind sturgeon habitat, Lake Winnebago carrying capacity, concerns for the future of sturgeon, and stocking of the fish.

 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 M. Bruch is interviewed by Kathleen Schmitt Kline about historical sturgeon research, the importance of sturgeon sexing and size restrictions for population management, and adaptability of sturgeon.

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

Bill Buksyk is interviewed by Dick Koerner about his experience sturgeon fishing. They discuss his first sturgeon spearing experience with his brothers, his most memorable experience, and his worst experience, which involved taking his pregnant wife out to fish with him. Bill also explains some of his favorite ways to eat sturgeon, catching more than your allotment, favorite coaxers, and the number of sturgeon he has caught.

 Dick Koerner Unknown University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Dan Gerhardt People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Dan Gerhardt, interviewed by Dick Koerner, talks about some of his experiences with sturgeon spearing on Lake Winnebago.  He recalls learning to spear and important moments from the last fifty years.  He discusses how things have changed, what he enjoys about the sport, and recipes.

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