Elmer Kuchenbecker
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.
National Capital Contracting
On May 29, 2007, Dick Koerner interviewed Elmer Kuchenbecker for the People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish project in Neenah, Wisconsin. Elmer Kuchenbecker, an 81-year-old lifelong resident of Neenah, shared his extensive experience as a sturgeon spearfisher and his deep connection to the local fishing traditions. He began sturgeon spearing in 1946 after acquiring his first set of fishing equipment for $25, which sparked a passion that lasted for decades. The interview covers Kuchenbecker's early experiences with sturgeon spearing, detailing the challenges and triumphs he encountered. He recounts his first successful spear, a 72-pound sturgeon, which was a turning point in his fishing journey. Kuchenbecker speaks of his mentor, Freddy Wittbend, who imparted valuable knowledge about the best fishing spots, techniques, and the importance of patience and precision in spearing. Over the years, Kuchenbecker speared numerous sturgeon, including his largest catch, a 110-pound fish. He reflects on the evolution of the sport, from the days of manual labor and reliance on friends for transportation to the modern conveniences of snowmobiles and four-wheelers.
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