National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame - 2004

Updated: 11/09/08

The Hall of Fame includes an interesting collection of information and equipment. While most of names of people in the hall of fame were unfamiliar to us, the displays and antique equipment were worth the trip. The admission was $11.45 per person. It is a very casual destination - your fishing clothes are okay. Allow at least a couple hours for the walk-thru.

The first thing that catches your eye is this big fish. It is designed to resemble a muskellunge and contains some of the displays and memorial information. From its mouth you can see all the grounds.

Scattered around the grounds are large fish.

    Mary Lou 'caught' one of them.

The displays continue in the several buildings. These two bass were just inside the first display area. 

The walls are filled with trophy and record fish. Many record fish have been superceded buy new records - they have them on display also. 

Frame photographs of people important to fresh water fishing are hung throughout the buildings. Babe is one Fred and son Fred watched on television and met in person a few years ago.

Also inside were displays of all things related to fishing - poles, lures, tackle boxes, motors, boats and other items. Some items are very unique.

An Aquacycle that you steered by shifting your weight ...

This Twin Fin was supposed to propel a boat through the water silently.

Reverse operating oars ... 

A reel that sets the hook for you ...

This is one of several folding outboard motors displayed.

This is a light cradle used by Indian fishermen while spear fishing.

The progression of fishing poles from sticks, bamboo to the high-tech composites of today is shown.

Did you know Evinrude made camp stoves?

Fred has a spinning locator that looks like this - low tech compared to the graphs out now. He has an outboard like this one also - he was wondering how old it was.

Talking about outboards ... they have rooms full of outboards.
There had to be hundreds of them.

This is the worst condition ...

This is the first Johnson manufactured model ...

Trolling motors are nothing new.

They have a huge collection of lures of all kinds.

These are lures made in Michigan.

Most lures displayed were commercially manufactured. Others were handmade and unique.

           
A real spoon ...                        Dice and a can opener ...

A chipmunk ...

And, where do you store your lures? In a tackle box, of course. Some were very old, some just old.

Have you ever had a hook stuck in you? If you have, you will be glad Dr. Krueger help was not required. Your name could be posted on this board for all to see.

Everything was fishing related - even the children's play yard.

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