Skip to Main Content

Tiger Muskie in Nevis.

World's Largest Tiger Muskie

Field review by the editors.

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.

Keep out of the muskie's mouth.

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.

Also see: World's Largest Fiberglass Fish

World's Largest Tiger Muskie

Address:
Bunyan Trails Rd, Nevis, MN
Directions:
On the southeast corner of E. Main St. and Hwy 2/Bunyan Trails Rd.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

World's Largest Paul BunyanWorld's Largest Paul Bunyan, Akeley, MN - 6 mi.
Paul Bunyan Historical MuseumPaul Bunyan Historical Museum, Akeley, MN - 6 mi.
Emmaville Store, Population 4Emmaville Store, Population 4, Emmaville, MN - 10 mi.
In the region:
Boxy Bunyan and Babe Statues, Bemidji, MN - 35 mi.

More Quirky Attractions in Minnesota

Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in Minnesota.

Explore Thousands of Unique Roadside Landmarks!

Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Start here.
Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Save Cool Vacation Destinations! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Minnesota Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

Petrified Wood Park Museum, Lemmon, South Dakota (May 29-Jun 4, 2023)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings