Minnesota Fishing Museum

Programs: Our mission is to collect, preserve, and display the artifacts of fishing in minnesota and to educate future generations of anglers. In 2014 we processed 99 additional artifacts to the museum collections via donations. They were researched and added to present displays or became part of newly created displays. After acquiring the mn fishing hall of fame inventory in 2013 it became apparent that we need a facility that can accomodate the museum collections as well as the hall of fame displays. In december the museum purchased 6. 4 acres along the highway corridor in little falls with the intent to build a new facility. Combining two locations into one will make better use of resources and allow for increased educational programming. Boser construction was chosen to develop concept plans for the new facility and reginald fraley with alpha development continues his work as our project coordinator. Our regular programming continued with over 4,300 visitors at the museum in little falls. Materials provided by the mn dept. Of health and the mn dnr were distributed to students and families. Visitor counts at the hall of fame at the gander mountain store in baxter, mn are not currently tracked as the displays are free and self-guided. Visitor sign-in sheets offer valuable feedback. 57 volunteers offered 1,539 volunteer hours assisting in museum operations, maintenance, and fundraising. Our membership base continued to grow with 233 paid memberships at the end of 2014. We continue to host the local chapter of let's go fishing, providing storage for the pontoon and equipment, and serving as an information conduit. This partnership allows senior citizens, disabled individuals, and youth to go fishing free of charge.