Dan Groeschel

Location of Interview
Collection Name

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

Description

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.

Date of Interview
05-28-2008
Transcribers

National Capital Contracting

Audio
Transcript
Supplemental Material
Abstract

Ronald Bruch interviewed Dan Groeschel for the People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish project. Dan Groeschel, born in 1941, has been deeply involved in sturgeon spearing for nearly his entire life. He is a founding member and director of Sturgeon for Tomorrow, an organization dedicated to the conservation and propagation of sturgeon. The interview begins with Groeschel discussing his family's tradition of sturgeon spearing, which began with his father and involved his grandmother on his mother's side. He recalls starting to spear sturgeon at a young age, sharing a vivid memory of catching his first sturgeon at the age of nine. This early exposure fostered a lifelong passion for the sport, which he has passed on to his daughters, who have also become avid spearers. Groeschel details the changes in sturgeon spearing over the decades, including advancements in equipment and techniques. He recounts the transition from using hand saws to cut holes in the ice to the introduction of chainsaws in 1960, which significantly improved efficiency. He also reflects on the evolution of ice fishing shanties and the communal aspect of the sport, emphasizing the strong bonds and camaraderie among fellow spearers. The interview highlights Groeschel's involvement in the formation of Sturgeon for Tomorrow in 1977 alongside Bill Casper and other founding members. He discusses the organization's mission to ensure the future of sturgeon populations through propagation efforts and collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Groeschel recounts the initial challenges they faced, including skepticism from the DNR and the eventual success in establishing a sustainable propagation program. Groeschel shares anecdotes about memorable spearing experiences, including close encounters with large sturgeon and the thrill of seeing family members catch their first fish. He emphasizes the importance of responsible practices and conservation to maintain the sturgeon population for future generations. The interview also touches on culinary traditions associated with sturgeon, with Groeschel describing various methods of preparing and enjoying the fish. Throughout the conversation, Groeschel reflects on the significant milestones achieved by Sturgeon for Tomorrow, including the introduction of the Sturgeon Guard program to protect spawning sites and the collaboration with scientists and researchers to advance sturgeon conservation. He expresses pride in the organization's impact and optimism for the future of sturgeon spearing.


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