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Those We Honor

You’ll find more than just fishing celebrities in this list. One can make a significant impact
on the lives of many without ever being well known. It is important to honor all of
those who had a great influence on the great sport of fishing, whether famous or not.
Corporate advances tend to be much more visible to us. For it’s their products that
shape the evolution of the sport of fishing.

Gary Roach

Gary Roach

Inducted 2000

Gary Roach, known deservedly as “Mr. Walleye,” was born and raised on the shores of Mission Lake, Minnesota. He started fishing off the dock when he was three or four years old. Gary started guiding at the age of ten and has made a career of fishing ever since. He has dedicated his lifetime to guiding, promoting and teaching anglers all over North America.

He was one of the original “Nisswa Guides” in northern Minnesota. Gary’s methods and angling skills have been used in numerous publications such as Fishing Facts, In-Fisherman, Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, Walleye Magazine and many others. He continues to write articles, conduct radio interviews and appear on television fishing shows like In-Fisherman, Mid-West Outdoors and Ron Schara’s “Legends Of Rod & Reel” show on the Outdoor Channel.
 
He has designed fishing tackle for Pradco, Northland Fishing Tackle, Pure Fishing and others. Gary has been instrumental in cutting edge boat design and enhancements for Lund Boats. One of Lund’s boats even carried the name “Mr. Walleye Edition”.

Gary was inducted into the National Fishing Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Fishing Hall of Fame of Minnesota in 2000. In 1991, he won the coveted Professional Walleye Trail (PWT) “Angler of the Year” award as well as the PWT Top Gun Award. Gary is a two time Cabela’s/In-Fisherman PWT winner, making him a leading money winner in professional fishing. He was a winner of the Manufacturers Walleye Council (MWC) Tournament and also named Angler of the Year in that circuit. In 1993, Pure Fishing (Berkley) presented him with the “All Pro Award” in Las Vegas for outstanding work in angling education and promotional efforts.