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New Iconic Willie Walleye in Baudette Needs Your Help

It is time the most photographed walleye in the world needs your help.  With so many getting their picture taken with Willie each year, it’s important Willie looks good.  When it comes to icons that signify an area, few fit their area as well as Willie Walleye, the 40 foot, 2.5 ton statue located right in the heart of Baudette, MN.  Marking it’s territory as The Walleye Capital of the World, Willie overlooks it’s namesake park called “Willie Walleye Park” as well as Baudette Bay and the Rainy River.

A rich history.  Willie Walleye originated as Arnold F. Lund’s idea, an idea which he recommended to the Baudette Civic and Commerce Association. With Mr. Lund doing much of the organizing for the project, the Civic and Commerce group took the job of building the fish statue.Willie Walleye, Baudette, MN

By April of 1958, Al Anderson had translated Lund’s idea into a blueprint, using as a model a 32-inch long, mounted walleye which was on display at Joe Farrell’s Hardware Store. Within a month the concrete footings had been poured and work started on the frame. Walter C. Olson, assisted by his son, David Olson, and Luverne Larson, had the difficult task of forming a frame of steel and wire mesh to the shape of a walleye.

While Mr. Olson and his assistants were busy welding, cutting and welding some more, Willie Walleye, Baudette, MNthe Civic and Commerce Association was trying to decide on a name for the fish. The first suggestions were Mr. Walleye and King Walleye. It was decided to choose the name democratically and a ballot with five names on it was printed in the Baudette Region. Wally, Walter and Willie were the additional names on the ballot.   After several weeks of voting, the name Willie won.

At about the same time, George Ayotte and his helper, Russell Halvorson, finished plastering the skin. Dick Wilson had contracted to paint the statue, and the paint was applied the next spring. The statue was dedicated during Walleye Days, June 19 and 20, 1959.

Current State of Willie.  Willie has seen a lot of years, a lot of sunlight and a lot of weather.  Despite of ongoing renovation projects throughout the years, it’s appearance is struggling.  Willie Walleye, Baudette

With the most recent renovation project not lasting nearly as long as anticipated and some other newly discovered brick and mortar type fixes needed, the decision was made to look into other materials that will lead to a more sustainable Willie down the road.

The new Willie Walleye will actually be the same size and have the same look as the original Willie, but made out of fiberglass.  Maintenance and upkeep on fiberglass is extremely reasonable and when city leaders put a pencil to it, fiberglass was the best option.  The challenge is the upfront cost of a new icon.

Would you like to Contribute to Willie?  Willie Walleye invokes positive emotions of so many.  Much like a song brings back memories or emotions, Willie does the same for so many.  For some, it represents the traditional fishing trip to Lake of the Woods.  For others, it is connection to the area.  For just about everyone, Willie is part of Baudette and it marks The Walleye Capital of the World.

If you would like to donate to the “Help Willie Walleye” Campaign, you can donate online or send a check.  Checks can be sent to:

Baudette – Lake of the Woods Chamber of Commerce

Attn:  Willie Walleye

PO Box 659

Baudette, MN  56623

 

Thank you for your support!

 

 

 

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