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

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  • 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 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.

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

John Abler is an experienced sturgeon fisherman with a wealth of stories and knowledge about the sport. He has been involved in sturgeon fishing since the early 1940s and his experiences include memorable encounters with sturgeon and fishing trips with his father. Abler's expertise and passion for sturgeon fishing are evident in his detailed accounts of his experiences, making him a valuable source of information for those interested in the sport.

Unknown Fond du Lac, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
John Jurgenson People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

On May 29, 2007, Dick Koerner interviewed John Jurgenson for the People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish oral history project. Born on June 27, 1930, in Neenah, Wisconsin, Jurgenson grew up in a family involved in sturgeon spearing, a tradition passed down by his father. Jurgenson discusses the evolution of regulations, noting that while fishermen were once allowed to spear up to five sturgeons, current regulations limit them to one.

Dick Koerner Neenah, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
John Jurgenson People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

On August 2, 2007, John Jurgenson was interviewed for the People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish oral history project. Jurgenson discusses his family history and his father's influence on his fishing expertise. He also mentions his work at the water plant and the various sturgeon spears he constructed, estimating that he had made about fourteen of them over the years.

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

Ken Corbett served as a state warden, with significant contributions to law enforcement and conservation efforts in Wisconsin. He began his career as the first warden in Clinton, Ohio, where he established a reputation for integrity and dedication. Corbett's tenure was marked by his involvement in various law enforcement activities, including addressing illegal activities and maintaining public order. He worked under notable figures such as O.K. Johnson and others in law enforcement.

Ron Bruch, Kathleen Schmitt Kline Oshkosh, WI University of Wisconsin Board of Regents, Oshkosh Public Museum
Leroy Remme People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Leroy Remme, while only sturgeon spearing for around six years, caught one of the largest fish ever recorded on Lake Winnebago in 1990. In his interview with Dominic Carmona, he talks about seeing the fish, spearing it, and the trouble it took to get the fish out of the water, out of the shanty, and into his truck. He talks about feeling bad for killing a fish that was suspected of being 100 years old. Leroy also relates some changes in the sport. Finally, Leroy ends with how quickly word spreads on the lake, and how some people like to keep trade secrets.

Dominic Carmona Appleton, WI 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
Lynn and Larry Benedict People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish

Larry Benedict, born in Oshkosh in 1932, has been involved in sturgeon spearing for over 55 years, having learned the sport from his father. He has consistently participated in sturgeon spearing, only missing one year due to heart surgery. Larry's wife, Lynn Benedict, born in Chicago in 1936, became interested in sturgeon spearing through her husband and has been an active participant, having speared around 20 sturgeons. Over the years, the couple has shared experiences of sturgeon spearing, including memorable catches and challenges faced while out on the ice.

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