Fishing Hall of Fame

04/05/2026

Happy Easter everyone. Enjoy your day with family and friends. And don’t forget, our museum and grounds opens to the public on Wednesday April 15 at 9:30am!

03/17/2026

Over this past weekend Hall selection committee member Jim Grandt (left) inducted Mark Sak at the Grand Rapids, Michigan Ultimate Sport Show. The attendance was great in spite of questionable weather and a great time was had by all. A huge shout out to show management for providing us with such an outstanding venue. Thank you. Congratulations Mark and thank you Jim Grandt.

03/07/2026

Another great induction ceremony at the Journal Sentinel Milwaukee Sport Show today. Hall executive director Emmett Brown (center) welcomed aboard newest Hall of Famers Lee Bailey Jr and Jerry Costabile (left of Brown). Also on hand were HOF selection committee member Jim Grandt (far right) and Hall executive board president (hat) John Dettloff. Thank you show management, especially Stephen Buzza and Ken. Your gracious hospitality is very much appreciated .Thank you and we’ll see you next year!

03/01/2026

Yesterday at the Wisconsin Fishing Expo in Madison Hall executive director Emmett Brown (left) formally welcomes Jason Przekurat of Plover into the exclusive fraternity of Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Famers. Congratulations Jason!
Thank you to Dan Durbin for providing the Hall with this wonderful venue.
Come and join us next Saturday March 7 at the Journal Sentinel Sport Show (at the Milwaukee State Fair Grounds) when we welcome Lee Bailey, Jr. and Jerry Costabile into that same fraternity.
See you there.

02/07/2026

Help us welcome Lee Bailey, Jr. and Captain Jerry Costabile into the most prestigious honor attainable in the sport of fresh water sportfishing - induction into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. Many candidates are reviewed, but just a relative small handful are selected.
Their induction ceremony will commence at Noon on Saturday, March 7th. Get you tickets today!

01/13/2026

The Holidays may be over, but aren’t we always looking for great gift ideas? Now is your chance to give your favorite angler a classic fish catching lure or a limited edition one of a kind soon to be classic lure. Just go to our website www.freshwater-fishing.org and order yours today. All these lures are Fishing Hall of Fame exclusives. Thank you for looking and thank you for your support. It is very much appreciated. The history and heritage of fresh water sportfishing is on full display at our 7 acre site in Hayward, Wisconsin. It’s like a peek into grandad’s old tackle box!

01/06/2026

Time is running short for entries into the Lindsay Sale Tiinney Youth Writing Contest sponsored by the Fishing Hall of Fame. This contest is open to all youths ages 12 to 15. All entries must be received by this Saturday January 10th. Cash prizes will be awarded to the best three essays.
Just go to our website www.freshwater-fishing.org and click on the link for the rules and submission.
The winners will be announced in the spring in our Splash magazine.
Good luck to all.

12/11/2025

The Fishing Hall of Fame is sponsoring a youth writing contest. This contest is open to all youths aged 12 to 15.
Go to our website www.freshwater-fishing.org and scroll down to the Lindsay Sale-Tinney Youth Writing Contest for the guidelines and how to enter.
Tell your fishing tales for cash prizes.

12/07/2025

With 2026 fast coming, it’s time to announce Grandt Rods www.grandtrods.com giant membership drive/giveaway program for the new year. Join our great organization today and you could win one of five fantastic prizes. Join on-line at www.freshwater-fishing.org. Scroll down to Become/Renew Membership.
Thank you to this year’s contributors (Hall of Famers all) and thank you for becoming a member of the premier organization dedicated to the celebration of the history and heritage of fresh water sportfishing.

11/01/2025

And the Winner Is!

Hall bookkeeper Vicki Musiala holds the lucky winning ticket for our 2025 50/50 cash raffle. Congratulations Hall member Dave Jones of Illinois. Dave, very shortly, you will have $3.145K coming your way. Thank you to all who participated in this important raffle. It helps us keep our doors open - celebrating the history and heritage of fresh water sportfishing.

07/29/2025

Be There or be Square - Tom Will be Watching!

07/25/2025

Below is Fishing Hall of Famer Tom Swanson’s link to his obituary and a link to a GoFundMe page to help with his final expenses.

Goodbye Tom we miss you already !

https://www.nimsgernfuneral.com/obituaries/thomas-swanson

https://gofund.me/763b6c9

View Thomas Blaine Swanson's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.