Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame

Starting Off Strong

What Cinderella’s Castle is to Disney World…the “Big Musky” is to the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward, Wisconsin. There are few reasons to be anywhere near this remote town in the northwoods of Wisconsin. So, you need the big draw to sucker in the tourists. Therefore, in addition to the Freshwater Fishing HOF, the town of Hayward also boasts of the world’s largest fish statue…Big Musky.

The giant fish park outside of the Hall of Fame/museum was actually the best part of the whole place. They had giant sculptures of all the major freshwater fish. I am not fisherman, so it was an educational experience for me. However, my companion, A Minor Public Official, is from South Carolina. So, he knew all the fish from birth. Do you know your freshwater fish?

It was a beautiful day in Wisconsin as we enjoyed the giant fish park. But, sadly, we then ventured inside for the formal part of the museum/HOF.

Hall of Fame Inductees

Yes, they are still inducting people annually into the Freshwater Fishing HOF. However, none of the names will mean anything to you. If you are old enough and go back a few decades, you might find a name or two that are familiar from the old Saturday morning fishing shows (when cartoons were over). The inductees that I actually had heard of included Roland Martin and Babe Winkelman.

There were also a couple of celebrity inductees including Teddy Roosevelt, Curt Gowdy and Ted Williams.

Past Its Prime

While I am willing to fish, I am not a fishing enthusiast. So, more power to you if looking at endless displays of lures, reels, rods and boat motors is your jam. I do not even think that A Minor Public Official was fascinated.

The main museum theme just seemed to be “tired.” The displays were tired. I do not think there was anything new since the year 2000. Our favorite example of the “tired” feel of this museum is the display recognizing the “Volunteer Founders.” What’s wrong with this picture…?

What year did they die? Possibility #1…Other than Erwin, all founders are well over 100 and still kicking. Or Possibility #2…the museum did not have the energy/interest to add the year of their deaths. Yep…a “tired” museum.

Darn It…Say Something Nice

At some point in history, the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame actually had meaningful corporate sponsors. Most notably, James B. Beam used to regularly do a commemorative freshwater fish bourbon bottles. I have to imagine that these bottles have a significant value today. However, this tradition seemed to stop in 1983.

Plus, under the heading of “The Primitive Fisherman,” they also had two life size Bigfoots. PugsleyTonks is a sucker for Bigfoot.

Wrap It Up

All right…I have been sarcastic enough to this museum. I suppose if you are a very passionate fisherman, you could find this place a bit more interesting than we did. But, fascinating or not, Hayward, Wisconsin’s Cinderella Castle is in serious need of some updating. In the unlikely event you are near Hayward, it might be worth a laugh to stop by the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame. But, unlike PugsleyTonks, do not go this far up Wisconsin just for this museum. Have a wonderful day. PT

I hope you have enjoy reading “Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame” on Traveling with PugsleyTonks.

I liked this museum a bit better https://travelingwithpt.com/the-poozeum/

If you still choose to visit the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame… https://www.freshwater-fishing.org/

P.S. If you were trying to identify the fish pictures…its walleye, crappie, rainbow trout and bass

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