Related Records

1. Betzer's Alder Lake Resort. Includes photos, advertisements, brochure, obituary for Ray Betzer and brief history of the property. ca 1937-1970 - Ray Betzer purchased the property from Robert Loveless and originally advertised it as "Cottages in the Pine Woods". After his death in 1970 Ray's sister Evelyn Ethel inherited the property. Dan Fox helped her manage it from 1974- early 1980s. In July 1986 the property was sold to former guests Dick and Muriel Henske and was converted to private residences.

   Record Type: Photo

   
2. Brief news clipping about muskies spawning and a report of the fish caught by guests at Koerner's Spider Lake Resort the previous year. 1924 - Iron County Miner (Hurley) 5/30/1924

   5/30/1924

   Record Type: Archive

   
3. Carl Theilacker holding two muskies in front of his establishment, Silver Dale. ca 1960s

   Record Type: Photo

   
4. Chicago magazine article discussing Joe Ilg Sr.'s muskellunge fishing prowess. 1906 - Note the top image on the left is of Joe Ilg Sr. A picture further down the page is "In camp on the Manitowish". The images are attached to this record. Buck's Spider Lake Resort is also mentioned.

   8/26/1906

   Record Type: Archive

   
5. Displaying a catch of Muskies. ca 1930s-1940s - This picture was taken in the yard of what once was Circle Lily Lodge along the Manitowish River by the Vilas/Iron County line. It shows quite a catch of muskies.

   Record Type: Photo

   
6. Fishing guide John Brunner (right) with clients and their catch of muskies. 1968 - Picture taken at a weigh-in station. Possible tournament.

   Record Type: Photo

   
7. Fishing Guides Lloyd LaPorte (L) and Chief Basil DeCoteau (R) ca late 1940s early 1950s - Day's catch of fish from guiding guests at Voss' Birchwood Lodge.

   Record Type: Photo

   
8. Four Chicago men set out to catch a monster fish on the Manitowish waters. Guide Dan Devine is mentioned. 1895 - This article, from the Inter Ocean (Chicago) paper, has some whooper fish stories, fun descriptions of the fishermen's adventure and includes sketches of the area.

   October 1895

   Record Type: Archive

   
9. Frank & Olga Stenback, from Bessemer, MI, leased State of WI land on Rest Lake. 1920-1993 - The land was in Section 3, Lot 1 in what is referred to as Finn Bay. (Stenback and other lessor John Lahti immigrated to the US from Finland). The Stenbecks built two cottages and a sauna on the property and spent summers there. Frank tried to purchase the land for many years but the WI DNR was not interested in selling. Wisconsin terminated all leases of state land in 1954 however the Stenback family was granted extensions until 1972. Frank's daughters, Eila Stenback and Mrs. Helvi Serbin, lost the "battle" to purchase the property in 1976 but were given a lifetime lease by WI Governor Patrick Lucey. The cottages were eventually sold and moved. The land is now the Town of Manitowish Waters Serbin Park.

   Record Type: Archive

   
10. Guide George LaPorte ca 1910s -1920s - Man with pipe and two large fish on a dock with a fishing boat in background.

    Record Type: Photo

    
11. Gypsy Rose Lee, actress and entertainer, loved to musky fish in the Northwoods. ca 1940s-1950s - Picture at Little Bohemia L to R: Emil Wanatka Jr., Lee, Marie Kolarchek cook at Little Bo. Lee spent time in Three Lakes as well as MW. She attempted to purchase Camp Thunderbolt on Rest Lake, however owner, Mrs. Dengel, wanted the property to remain a summer camp, selling to YMCA Camp Jorn.

    Record Type: Photo

    
12. "In Island Lake- A Party of Evansvillians Enjoying Fishing" 1895 - A group of Indiana men travel to the Manitowish chain of lakes for a week of fishing and hunting. They stayed at LaFave's Island Lake Resort.

    10/6/1895

    Record Type: Archive

    
13. Koerner's resort- Fishing pictures ca 1916-1940s - These pictures are from a Koerner's Spider Lake Resort photo album.

    Record Type: Photo

    
14. News clippings advertising or commenting on Buck's Spider Lake Resort. 1898-1916 - Note: 1898 clipping infers the resort had been operational before this date. 1909: Cement building under construction for dining 1911: 500 boxes of muskies shipped in 1910! 1912 ad contact listed as Buck & Falconer 1916 ad lists Mrs. G.W. Buck (Elmira Buck) as the contact

    Record Type: Archive

    
15. Newspaper articles referencing William (Bill) Mehl as a fishing guide. 1951 & 1974 - Bill was reported to be "the most successful Manitowish Waters guide" in the 1951 Musky Marathon tournament.

    Record Type: Archive

    
16. Outers' Book- Recreation article about fishing on Island Lake. August 1918 - This is the last of the author's five articles about fishing the Manitowish chain. He discusses the lake structure and goes into depth about the Manitowish river and Boulder Bay. LaFave's Island Lake Resort is referenced.

    Fishing Collection

    Record Type: Library

    
17. Outers' Book- Recreation article about fishing on Spider Lake. June 1918 - This is the third of the author's five articles about fishing the Manitowish chain. He discusses the lake structure, where to fish and places to stay.

    Fishing Collection

    Record Type: Library

    
18. Outers' Book- Recreation article about fishing on Stone, Mud (Fawn) and Clear Lakes. July 1918 - This is the fourth of the author's five articles about fishing the Manitowish chain. He discusses the lake structure and where to fish.

    Fishing Collection

    Record Type: Library

    
19. Outers' Book- Recreation: The Fishing Grounds of Rest Lake. April 1918 - This article is the first in a series of five. It discusses the structure of Rest lake and good fishing spots. Mitchell's Rest Lake Resort is referenced.

    Fishing Collection

    Record Type: Library

    
20. Renowned fishing guide George Bazso ca 1946-1956 - George worked as a fishing guide for Voss' and Koerner's resorts from 1946-56. These images are from the Voss Collection. Later George worked independent of the resorts, guiding for many more years.

    Record Type: Photo