Minnesota might have more of them, but when it comes to oversized, giant fish statues, Wisconsin has us beat. Hayward is home to the World’s Largest Muskie, found at the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. Nothing even compares to this thing. At 143 feet long and 45 feet tall, the muskie also has an observation deck inside its mouth that you can climb inside and check out. That’s half a city block long and four stories high.
There are also other smaller fish statues in the park around it, but the Muskie is clearly the centerpiece here. Built by F.A.S.T. Corporation, the inside staircase to the top of the mouth is filled with names of thousands of anglers, called the “Shrine to Anglers.” The giant fish sits atop an 88,000 gallon pond and is said to attract over 100,000 visitors every year. This is one of Wisconsin’s best.
While in the area: Check out the the fishing museum, which contains exhibitions of over 400 fish mounts and over 300 outboard motors. Pop into the Moccasin Bar afterwards to try some good local WI beers and check out some more record fish mounts.
Otto the Otter, who stands at the shores of a small lake in Grotto Park, is the official mascot of Fergus Falls, MN. Made of concrete and metal, it is roughly 40 feet long and about 15 feet tall. The otter was a project that a shop teacher and his students from Fergus Falls High School completed in 1972, and was given to the city as a gift for the centennial celebration. A local metal artist had to step in and save the project after the students’ rendering was not up to par.
Blue Earth, MN sits in the middle of Minnesota right along the southern edge. It is the mid-point of Interstate 90, which runs from Seattle to Boston. Here they decided to put up a 50-foot tall Jolly Green Giant statue, which reportedly draws in 10,000 tourists a year. There is also a small statue of “Sprout,” the Giant’s sidekick, and a Green Giant Museum.
North of Blue Earth on HWY 169 in the Minnesota River Valley is another Jolly Green Giant. This one is part of a sign and has been there as long as I can remember. The Minnesota Valley Canning Company was started in 1903 here in Le Sueur, MN and was later bought by Minnesota-based General Mills.This one is tough to get a picture of, as it is only visible from the Highway and there really isn’t anywhere to pull over here. Good luck!
Right next to the Mill Pond Dam in the heart of downtown Pelican Rapids is the World’s Largest Pelican. “Pelican Pete” is 15 feet tall and stands sentinel over the Pelican River. There is a great little park area to get a photo and watch the water crash down the dam. It is said that Bemidji’s 
Also in town is a smaller pelican statue in front of the Pelican Hotel on the north end of town.
See how many you can count on your next trip through!
