Fish Decoys – Regional Characteristics
By Art and Scott Kimball

In many, if not most cases, a fish decoy can be at least identified as to where it was made. We will probably never know ‘who’made some of these fish. ‘When’ is many times a guess. The vast array of type, sizes and styles displayed in fish decoys give rise to the thought that whatever sort of fish decoy that developed locally in fish spearing areas is what worked. Such variables as water clarity and species of fish speared contribute to the final fish getting fish decoy. It seems that once a successful style is established it is generally copied by local fishermen. When it comes to a ‘user’ fish decoy this can be a compliment to a fish decoy maker who developed and established a given style.

Certain areas that have apparent and unique styles follow. We have listed a few diagnostic characteristics to help in identifying any fish you might have in your collection or seen elsewhere. Our idea of studying these identifiable characteristics is to develop a sort of key so you can pin down at least the state, perhaps the specific area. What follows is brief, however, it will hopefully help. This whole idea must be developed. Any help or observations on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

MICHIGAN

Area 1 (The Upper Peninsula) - There does not seem to be a pattern here. The lakes where winter spearing goes on are widely dispersed all over The Upper Peninsula. Every fish decoy by different makers we have seen from Area 1 seem to be different in some way. In some cases a lower peninsula provincial style is seen in the Upper Peninsula. For example, some Mike Maxon and John Panula fish are definitely Cadillac (Oscar Peterson) style exemplified by curved wood tail perforated linetie in the dorsal fin and a unique abstract style of painting.

Area 2 (Upper Lower Peninsula) – This area can be broken down into at least 3 local styles – Burt-Mullet Lakes decoys tend to be rather large. Many are all white. Metal tails seems a bit more than wood tail. There are hundreds of makers from this area as yet unpublished. The ‘Tower’ style is named for the town where such authors of fish as Ervin Viehl and the entire Viehl family, the Mason family, John Eddy, Jim Wregglesworth, Ken and Mark Bruning. The fish are usually rather thin, but now always, painted metal tails are skillfully painted usually trout, brook trout predominant.

Further South in Area 3 is the town of Cadillac. Perhaps in no other place do we see such a characteristic style. Oscar Peterson (1887-1951) was the style setter here. Followed by Jess Ramey and Jim Nelson. The ‘Cadillac Style’ is more currently seen in the works of Al Williams, Tom Richards, Sonny Bashore and Dale Goodrich to name a few. Once again, curved wood tail, perforated line-tie and extremely (usually) skillfully painted.

The Sagina Bay (Area 4) probably has seen more spearing with wood fish decoys for a longer period of time than any other place. Examples noted are usually small 3”-5”. This is to discourage Northern Pike. Walleyed pike and yellow perch are favoured here. Historically many winter spearers were commercially spearing. Saginaw Bay area decoys are about as interesting as they come. Some are very old. This was an old fishery. Style differences are seen from town to town along the shores of Lake Huron. Many Tawas City examples are wood tailed and have a hole in the tail where yarn was attached. Wood tails seem to be the norm. Au Gres ‘minnows’ are many times all silver and have metal tails. Bay City fish sort of look like D.C. Rivits (wood tail.)

Area 6 including Lake St. Clair where musky were the target. Large sizes and general style are diagnostic here. Large, 8”-14”, bold wood tailed fish are seen that were used to lure musky. For some reason identifying some of the fish from this area is difficult for us.

Area 5 – Holland appears to be an area with fish that have unique characteristics. Many are finished in a medium-dark reddish brown.

MINNESOTA

Although areas have been designated for Minnesota fish the styles go all over the board. There are a lot of lakes in Minnesota. The most sought after fish was and is the northern pike. More regional study need to be done in Minnesota. Generally a town is designated as to style. For example, the works of famous and not famous makers are typified by fish made by Sy Siebert, Pearl, Cyril Bethel, Lawrence Bethel and the whole Bethel clan. Certain Otto Bishops and Louie Anderson to name a few resemble this style. All of the above and many more makers are from Park Rapids area. Around Buffalo, Minnesota (Area 5), Otto and William Faue’s style was closely followed by the works of Henry Ranthum. Look here for metal tails, bold skillful painting and perforated dorsal fin line-ties. More research also needs to be done to better understand Minnesota.

WISCONSIN

Wisconsin is rather cut and dried. Generally speaking the areas where you find fish decoys are widely distributed and extremely local. Spearing has been illegal in Wisconsin for more than 50 years in all but few specific places.

Area 1 – Chequamgon Bay (Lake Superior) is one of the few places in Wisconsin winter spearing goes on. Characteristically the 6”-8” fish decoys were very thin. Many times the lead is loaded through the side. Northern pike (some large ones) are the target. Metal tails and fins set high up on the body mark Area 1 fish.

Area 2 – Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin (Chippewa Indian Reservation). Indians must have been spearing here for years. The spearers are after musky. The musky must be triggered into strike mode, therefore the fish decoys swim in a circle when jigged. Almost all Lac du Flambeau fish decoys have wood tails. The body shape is usually curved especially toward and including the tail. A single screw eye is used for a line tie. The finish has traditionally been charred wood, sometimes tinted and more recently painted. The quality is extremely high. The style of a Lac du Flambeau fish (usually 6”-8”) is almost unique – easily identifiable when studied. At this time close to 150 known makers have been identified.

Area 3 – Usually referred to as ‘LaCrosse fish’ – 4”-6”ers sport both wood and metal tails, approximately 50% of each. The ‘bar’ line-tie is almost unique. Over 50% of examples studied have this type of attachment. Interestingly, approximately 25% to 1/3 LaCrosse fish seen have the lead inserted from the top. The bellies come down to a rather sharp edge. LaCrosse fish are old. It became illegal to spear in or on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi river (including backwater). A long time ago many if not most of the early fishermen were after walleyes! The carved detail under the head is a tip off. Quality wise they really do not get much better than LaCrosse fish.

Area 4 – Lake Winnebago – Sturgeon are the target fish. Although many large fish decoys – 24”-60” are seen here. Most experienced fishermen seem to prefer small 10”-15”ers. The style is usually plain and functional. Both wood and metal tails are noted. A Winnebago sturgeon coaxer (this is what local fishermen call them) is usually readily identifiable. Most have straight and heavy bodies. They simply look like Winnebago coaxers.

Area 5 – Michigan, Wisconsin boundary area in northwest Lake Michigan. Not much is known about Area 5. It is ripe for study. The above information is extremely general in nature. It is just a start. There are exceptions in all cases. The idea of type by area is very controversial at the present time. We have been criticized for taking this approach. It is our impression that this will ultimately prove to be very important to all collectors. If we can actually develop a key it sure can’t hurt. We are looking for input, comment and any advice on this matter. Please give us your thoughts.

Article reprinted with the permission of the American Fish Decoy Collectors Association.