GARRISON — Helping a youngster catch his first fish, leading a fund drive for a local fishing club, setting an example for others – common traits among the inductees to the North Dakota Fishing Hall of Fame.
The ND Fishing Hall of Fame is housed at North Country Marine and Motorsports. Open to the public during normal business hours, it is a collection of photographs and biographies of inductees and museum-type displays that help preserve a bit of the state’s rich fishing heritage.
Each year the HOF board of directors accepts nominations for the hall, scrutinizes them, and votes on whether or not to accept the nomination for hall of fame status. The result has been an impressive list of inductees that have made a major impact on sportfishing in North Dakota.
“It’s pretty amazing. Pretty much every one of them have an individual love of fishing and spend a lot of time doing that, but so many are charter members of significant clubs or groups in the state and have given a lot of their time,” said Keith Witt, president, ND Fishing Hall of Fame. “They lead fundraisers, work with youth, do seminars. The list goes on and on. A lot of them have spent 30 to 40 years benefitting sportfishing around the state.”
Nominations for the hall of fame are accepted through May 1 of each year. Forms for the process can be found at ndfishinghalloffame.org or by calling the Garrison Convention and Visitor’s Bureau at 1-800-799-4242. Inductions are held here annually in the City Auditorium prior to the rules meeting for the North Dakota Governor’s Walleye Cup.
“It’s a good time to recognize these people,” said Witt. “We have a full house of fishermen while we recognize people for contributions they have made over their lifetime. Other fishermen can see these inductees and the example they set.”
Greg Gullickson, Benedict, and HOF vice-president, notes that Garrison is an ideal place for the hall, adjacent to a fishing wonderland in Lake Sakakawea.
“We have a lot of great lakes to fish on, but mention one lake, it would be Lake Sakakawea and a popular destination is Garrison. It’s centrally located,” remarked Gullickson.
The ND Fishing Hall of Fame has changed locations a few times in Garrison since its beginnings in 1981. The all-volunteer organization even ceased operation from 2005 to 2012 but returned with a new class of inductees in 2013. The HOF has since gained momentum, overseeing the induction of 23 new individuals or clubs into the hall, and furthering the awareness of sportfishing across the state.
“Part of the North Dakota lifestyle is getting out and enjoying the resources that we have and teaching others to do that,” explained Witt.
“The Fishing Hall of Fame really preserves a lot of that history, people in all walks of life, common people that have a love of fishing and want to share it with others,” added Gullickson.
This year’s HOF induction is scheduled for Thursday, July 14, at 6:30 p.m.
