Related Records

1. An article about muskie fishing that opens with the legend of Chief Manitowish and haunted Manito Island (referred to as Ship Island). 9/25/1921 - The reporter discusses the legend of Ship Island being surrounded by a chain of fire to frighten the "pale face" away. He goes on say the Manitowish waters offer exciting fishing experiences and an array of beautiful woodland animals.

   9/25/1921

   Record Type: Archive

   
2. Arvid Seppala photos including an ad for Seppala's Cottages on Rest Lake. ca 1930s-1954 - Arvid lived on Rest Lake, current address 13828 Ilg Road (Long's). He was a mason and a guide. He would troll with silver spoon tackle and row all around Rest Lake. A frequent customer of his was Mr. Corson (owned what is now Murphy's, 6014 Zephyr Point Lane). Arvid was in charge of the timbers at the dam to control the lake level; he went through the dam twice!

   Record Type: Photo

   
3. 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

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

   Record Type: Photo

   
5. 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

   
6. Divide Resort- A Paradise for Hunters and Fishermen Who At This Resort Have All Conveniences. 7/1/1897 - Article in the New North newspaper (Rhinelander, WI). The article reviews the Divide Resort and area fishing. It also reports the Buck's intend to build another resort in Manitowish waters.

   7/1/1897

   Record Type: Archive

   
7. Felix the Muskie by Michael Dunn 1936-1944 - A Michael Dunn story about a "trained" muskie that would regularly appear at Jens and Lenore Larson's bait shop on Little Star Lake, much to the delight of their customers.

   2017

   Record Type: Archive

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

   Record Type: Photo

   
9. Fishing pictures from the Charles "Cap" Smith family's photo albums. ca 1920s - Shore lunch pictures included. Location most likely on the Manitowish chain.

   Record Type: Photo

   
10. "Fish Tales" by Ruth Gardner - Ruthie relates how fishing guides became an integral part of early Northwoods history recalling some of her favorite characters.

    4/2020

    Record Type: Archive

    
11. Forest & Stream Magazine article "The Sportsman Tourist in Muscallunge Country" 1891 - Story of the author's fishing journey beginning on the Manitowish River, camping at the logging camp at the Rest Lake dam, paddling up Rice Creek and portaging to Papoose Lake. The article includes a description of the Mississippi River Logging Co building on Vance Lake and the life of a lumberman, spending a night at Irishman A.R. Andrews homestead on the Manitowish River and meeting the Devine family on Clear Lake. Included in this record is an excerpt from Kay Krans' article about the Rest Lake dam tenders, which discusses the logging camp being used as a summer "hotel".

    Fishing Collection

    Record Type: Library

    
12. 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

    
13. 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

    
14. Guide Lloyd LaPorte with musky at Voss' Birchwood Lodge

    Record Type: Photo

    
15. Guide Marty Cain's fishing journal. mid to late 1960's - This calendar journal contain's Marty Cain's written notes with landmarks and hand drawn maps detailing good fishing spots for lakes on the Manitowish Chain and in Winchester. He also lists results of his trapping and hunting efforts. 1/1 - 8/12: detailed descriptions and maps of fishing spots 8/24 - 12./22: lists clients, the day's catch and other guides 12/21 to end of book: trapping results and "good set" locations

    Record Type: Archive

    
16. Guide Richard Sleight, Sr. holding a musky caught by a guest of LaFave's Island Lake Resort. ca 1910s

    Record Type: Photo

    
17. 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

    
18. "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

    
19. Knopp's Birch Cove Cottages on Spider Lake ca 1940s - Mrs. Knopp's 2011 obituary linked.

    Click here to read Margaret's obituary.

    Record Type: Photo

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

    Record Type: Photo