Walleye statue.

Wally Walleye

There are many towns that claim to be the Walleye Capital of the World, and Garrison has had their big fish statue out in the public eye since 1980.

The Minnesota state legislature designated the walleye as the Official State Fish in 1965. Moving quickly, the town of Garrison declared itself "Walleye Capital of the World," in part because the adjacent lake, Mille Lacs, is the most popular spot to catch a walleye in Minnesota.

A scant 15 years later, the town commissioned a 15-ft. long fiberglass Walleye Pike for use in an annual parade. Today it is permanently installed along the shores of Mille Lacs, more recently refreshed with reflective automotive paint for that extra scaly sheen.

Also see: Walleyed War of the Walleye Capitals

Wally Walleye

Garrison Concourse Wayside Park

Address:: Central St., Garrison, MN
Directions:: Garrison Concourse Wayside Park. Southeast edge of town, on the lake, on the east side of US Hwy 169 at its intersection with Central St.
Admission:: Free
RA Rates:: Worth a Detour

Nearby Offbeat Places

Robin Hood Statue, Aitkin, MN - 4 mi.

Giant Sitting, Talking Paul Bunyan, Brainerd, MN - 11 mi.

Babe the Blue Ox, Brainerd, MN - 11 mi.

In the region:

Plywood Paul Bunyan and Babe, Isle, MN - 20 mi.

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