World's Largest Tiger Muskie

Nevis, Minnesota

We first saw the World's Largest Tiger Muskie on a trip that also took in the World's Largest Fiberglass Muskie in neighboring Wisconsin. No comparison. But this Muskie is no fiberglass shrimp, either: it's 31 feet long, made of cedar and redwood covered with concrete scales. It was designed and built by Warren P. Ballard (1886-1968) outside his Nevis taxidermy shop in 1932. Minnesota Governor Luther Youngdahl dedicated the big fish on August 22, 1950, to honor tourists who spent their vacations (and dollars) in the state.

A roof was put over Muskie in 1991 -- another example of a town building something to see, then covering up with trees or buildings, and facing it north or placing it in bad light, so that no visitor can get a decent picture. Nevis officials said the sculpture needed protection from the elements.

Decades later the fish is still there, the south-facing side of the fish covered by an added shelter with picnic tables. Power lunch at the Tiger Muskie, anyone?

The obvious photo op -- sticking a head in the Tiger Muskie's maw -- is discouraged by a warning stenciled in the mouth, "KEEP OUT," although the fish's wooden teeth were removed decades ago.