50 Years, 50 Legacies: The Kabetogama Walleye
50 Legacies: The Kabetogama Walleye
Photo courtesy of the Gateway General Store
You know you’ve arrived in Kabetogama, Minnesota when a 14-foot walleye appears along U.S. Highway 53 near the turn-off to Lake Kabetogama. Perched in mid-swim with a saddle on its back, the giant fish has greeted anglers, families, and travelers since 1949.
The Kabetogama Walleye reflects a place where fishing shapes daily life, traditions, and stories passed down by generations. For decades, anglers have marked the start of their trips with a photo atop Willy before heading toward wide bays and rocky points of Voyageurs National Park in search of Minnesota's famous walleye. Families pause here too, lining up for photos that capture shared moments and return home as well-worn keepsakes.
2025 “Park History” Category Photo Contest Winner
Courtesy of Steve Brown
The statue was designed by Duane Bryers, a prolific and versatile artist with deep Iron Range ties. Born in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in 1911, Bryers moved to Virginia, Minnesota as a child, where his talent emerged early through large-scale murals and public art. In his mid-20s, he painted a 103-foot-long mural depicting Iron Range mining, a work that still hangs at Virginia’s Roosevelt High School. He later gained national attention for monumental ice sculptures and, after studying in New York, built a wide-ranging career that included military comic strips during World War II, popular mid-century illustrations, and acclaimed Western paintings.
Executed in concrete and steel for approximately $2,500, Bryers’ walleye design carries both whimsy and pride, playfully hinting at the size and abundance of Lake Kabetogama’s fish. While Bryers went on to national recognition – known widely for his “Hilda” calendar illustrations and Western art featured in museums and even the National Cowboy Hall of Fame – his giant walleye remains a deeply local landmark, shaped by friendships and community connections in Kabetogama.
Today, the walleye stands at the gateway to Voyageurs National Park, welcoming newcomers and returning visitors alike. It marks the beginning of time on the water, shared laughter, and a tradition that continues to connect people to Lake Kabetogama and its storied fishing culture.
Check out the full list of our 50 legacies!
This year, we’re celebrating 50 years of Voyageurs National Park by sharing 50 inspiring stories of the people who shaped its legacy. Years, 50 Legacies is a yearlong storytelling series highlighting individuals whose lives are woven into the fabric of the park – whether through conservation work, cultural traditions, recreation, research, or personal connection.
Raise a canteen and celebrate this historic milestone with us at our 50th anniversary website. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more inspiring stories and updates!
