Eric Cheslock
People of the Sturgeon: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish
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.
National Capital Contracting
Eric Cheslock was born in 1956 and raised in Menasha, Wisconsin. He developed a strong connection to the local waterways, frequently fishing on Little Lake Butte Des Morts and Lake Winnebago. Cheslock has been employed at SCA Tissue for twenty-eight years. His family consists of six boys, many of whom share his enthusiasm for outdoor activities like hunting and fishing. Eric Cheslock's interest in sturgeon spearing began in 1985 through the influence of a friend. He is known for his dedication to the sport, having participated in spearing seasons that previously spanned sixteen days. Cheslock has caught several sturgeons over the years, with significant captures including a 51-pound sturgeon in 1994 and another in 1992 during a season when only 700 sturgeons were speared. He prefers the solitude of spearing alone in his shanty, finding the experience both peaceful and exhilarating. Eric also values sharing his knowledge with others, including his children, who are beginning to show interest in the sport. Despite the changes in spearing regulations and seasons, he remains committed to the practice, appreciating the combination of challenge and tranquility it offers.
Scope and Content Note
The oral history interview with Eric Cheslock, conducted on August 2, 2007, in Hortonville, Wisconsin, provides a detailed account of his experiences with sturgeon spearing and related activities. Cheslock describes his introduction to sturgeon spearing in 1985 and his dedication to the sport, including his methods and equipment used over the years. He discusses the spearing seasons, noting changes from sixteen-day seasons to the current shorter seasons, and recounts memorable catches, such as a significant 51-pound sturgeon. The interview covers his preference for solitary spearing, the construction and functionality of his spearing shanty, and the use of a sled saw for cutting ice holes. Cheslock also talks about his homemade decoys and the techniques used to attract sturgeons. The interview highlights his enjoyment of the solitude and challenge of spearing, as well as the satisfaction of teaching his children about the sport. Additionally, Cheslock shares anecdotes about his family’s involvement in hunting and fishing, his professional life at SCA Tissue, and the community aspects of sturgeon spearing in Wisconsin.
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