The muskellunge, or musky, is the official State Fish of Wisconsin. So, it’s no surprise that a musky is a centerpiece at the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum attraction in Hayward.
So how big is the musky sculpture? Four-and-a-half stories tall and half-a-block long! This fiberglass musky is called a “shrine to anglers.”
How was the giant muskie statue in Wisconsin built?
For visitors, like me, the musky is an amazing conglomeration of concrete, steel, and fiberglass with a little–or a lot–of paint thrown in.
According to the World Record Academy, it’s the world’s largest musky sculpture.
But back to building the muskie.
The idea for the muskie grew out of the era of roadside attractions, which lasted from the 1940s through the ’60s. While planning the Hall of Fame started in 1960, it took a few years to generate the funding. Jim Beam was one of main businessmen who helped raise the funds (his fish-themed decanters raised $300,000) for the project.
The muskie was the creation of Jerome Vettrus, a business major who decided to change gears and become an artist.
Using steel beams for the frame and non-degradable fiberglass, the musky is designed to live to a long, healthy old age. It took nine months to build the monster in 1979. But as well as inspiring anglers, the fish inspired Vettrus to start his own giant fiberglass molding company.
Today, you may find the museum better known as the “Musky Museum,” especially by the youngest anglers.
Perhaps the most amazing thing about the giant musky though, is the fact that all that fiberglass covers a museum display and staircase to the top of the muskellunge (the muskie’s real name).
Remember Jaws, the movie?
Well now you can put yourself inside even bigger jaws, peering out between enormous top and bottom teeth, at the grounds below. Or, you can take photos of the kids and grandparents waving down at you from between those sharp, needle-like teeth.
Linda’s Pick of the Exhibits
First of all, I’ll admit this giant fish made me wonder if a dinosaur could be hiding somewhere around the trees and park benches too!
But it wasn’t the fish I found the most fascinating.
It was the Motor Graveyard.
I’d never imagined–never mind seen–so many different types of boat motors!
Row after row of boat motors lined the walls, each with an information card giving all the important stuff, like horsepower and manufacturing year.
Right about then I realized boat motors probably have as long of a history as car motors.
Who knew?
Inboards, outboards, whatever kind of vintage motor you’d like to see, there’s probably one in the museum’s collection of 1000+ antique motors!
What’s in the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum?
There’s lots to see and do inside and outside the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum.
First, it’s all about climbing to the top of the musky and looking way down at the seven-acre outdoor park around.
The giant head holds about 20 people, so the whole family can have some fun. Looking out, you’ll see a panoramic view that includes Lake Hayward, the city, and the museum grounds.
A sea of other oversized fish covers the grounds. None, however, are as massive as the muskie.
Inside the Musky Museum Complex
Four buildings make up the Musky Museum complex. While the Motor Graveyard was my favorite exhibit, there’s lots more to see.
Museum walls hold about 300 mounted not-so-massive, but “once-real” stuffed fish.
Fast Fact: The museum's most impressive mounted fish weighs 69 pound and 11 ounces. It's a world famous muskie pulled from Wisconsin's Chippewa flowage by Louis Spray.
Altogether, there are over 50,000 sportfishing historical artifacts. Indeed, you’ll see rods and reels, accessories, even lures.
You may also be surprised to find not-so-common displays in the museum.
Take this hairy primitive fisherman, for example. I imagined him as a sasquatch, or bigfoot, since there are many reported “sightings” in Wisconsin.
As well as this primitive fisherman, there’s another mythical creature in this part of Wisconsin — a hodag.
The Hodag
Fast Fact: Stories tell that a hodag is a horned green (or black) creature with a spiked back like its prehistoric ancestors, and the horrible smell of a skunk combined with the stench of buzzard meat.
Despite its mythical status, Rhinelanders still have a lot of fun with their hodag. Many events carry the hodag name, including the Hodag Country Festival held each summer.
As you might guess, the musky inspires just as many events as the Rhinelander hodag, with one of the most exciting being the Hayward Lakes Chapter of Muskies Annual Fall Fishing Tournament.
National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame
The National Fishing Hall of Fame has inducted 300+ persons and organizations since 1980. There are a number of categories:
- Legendary Angler
- Legendary Communicator
- Legendary Guide
- Organizational/Governmental Achievement
- Special Recognition
- Legendary Artist (introduced in 2009)
Fast Fact: The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame was recognized as the qualifier of Sportfishing World Records in 1974.
The world records program has over 300 entries and recognized 125+ different fresh water fish species. Anyone can apply!
Linda’s Road Trip Tips
I’m not always able to spend a lot of time in an area, but Hayward was an exception. So, I had fun at a number of different attractions.
My first recommendation of something to see and do in Hayward is Fred Scheer’s Lumberjack Show. This part of Wisconsin has an important lumbering business, so the show is where the guys–and gals–show off their skills log rolling, chopping, sawing, and more. It’s a lot of fun!
Since Hayward is a Wisconsin Northwoods town, it’s well known for its fishing (maybe you can break the musky record!), ATV trails, hiking, and more. I enjoyed both the fishing and the trails.
And with all that outdoor fun, you’re bound to work up an appetite. If you’ve never visited a Famous Dave’s BBQ Restaurant, you’re in for a treat. Hayward is home to the very first restaurant in the chain. It was my first taste of their smoked meats, and I loved them.
Who Should Visit the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum?
Love halls of fame? The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame has been ranked #5 by American Towns Media. Considering many of the other halls of fame are in communities with hundreds of thousands of people, that’s a real tribute to this small city’s attraction.
If you’re an angler, you must visit the museum and hall of fame. It’s bound to bring back all kinds of great memories as you go through the exhibits.
And if you’re not a fisherperson, there’s still lots of fascinating things to see and do at the Musky Museum. Just walking around all of the super-sized fish on the grounds is fun, while climbing into the mouth of the giant musky is a real blast. Kids really enjoy the visit.
The seven acres of grounds are beautifully smooth and well-kept, so those with mobility issues should be able to enjoy everything. The museum itself is on one level as well.
Plan on a couple of hours for your visit, or if you’re a dedicated angler, even longer.
Visit the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum
The Fishing Hall of Fame is located in the town of Hayward, Wisconsin, at 10360 Hall of Fame Dr.
The museum is open seasonally, so be sure to check the days and hours open before planning your travel. You’ll find the information on the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum website.
Check out the Fishing Hall of Fame Facebook page for news.
Take a virtual tour on YouTube with this video from Hayward Lakes Visitors and Convention Bureau.
Plan your visit to Hayward with Google maps.
Find More Museum Reviews for Wisconsin
Check out more reviews for museum attractions in Wisconsin on guide2museums.com.
Read More Sports Museum Reviews
- Manitoba Baseball Hall of Fame Museum Review
- National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum: Hayward, Wisconsin
- Hockey Hall of Fame: Museum of Ice Hockey History in Toronto, Ontario
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- NASCAR Hall of Fame: Charlotte, North Carolina
- World Snowmobile Headquarters Museum: Eagle River, Wisconsin
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Reference(s)
Musky Shop. (2024). The Hayward muskie from Jerry Vettrus. https://www.muskyshop.com/en-ca/blogs/news/the-hayward-muskie-from-jerry-vettrus
Acknowledgement
My thanks to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism for hosting my Wisconsin Northwoods visit. Also, thanks to Geiger & Associates for organizing such a great trip!
guide2museums.com 