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.

Minn Kota

Minn Kota

Inducted 2018

Established in 1934, Minn Kota® has led the way in the trolling industry category and been among the most celebrated companies in the fishing and marine industry. The company has led the way in product innovation and cutting-edge technology from day one, when O.G. Schmidt first strapped a propeller to a starter motor from a Model A. Schmidt’s idea has forever impacted the sport of fishing.

Minn Kota designs and builds its motors in Mankato, Minn., but the company didn’t stop with the trolling motor. Over the last 83 years, the company has continued to be an innovator in the fishing industry. The focus on new ideas and cutting-edge technology has led the company through several milestones – foot pedals and remotes to operate the trolling motor, GPS-enabled motors, battery chargers, and shallow water anchors.

Minn Kota “Firsts”

  • 1934 – First gear-driven electric trolling motor
  • 1935 – First flexible cable-driven electric trolling motor
  • 1965 – First electric motor with forward and reverse switch
  • 1968 – First foot-operated electric steer remote control
  • 1985 – First battery saving, electronic variable speed control sold as an accessory (Maximizer™)
  • 1986 – First built-in battery saving, fully variable speed control (Maximizer™)
  • 1987 – First space-saving, compact bow-mount, electric trolling motor with built-in electronic variable speed control and automatic display battery condition gauge
  • 1987 – First low-profile cable steer foot control trolling motor
  • 1987 – First mass-produced foot operated electric steer remote control trolling motor
  • 1991 – First indestructible, fiberglass composite trolling motor shaft
  • 1991 – First microprocessor-controlled self-steering electric trolling motor (AutoPilot™)
  • 1992 – First weedless electric trolling motor propeller (Weedless Wedge™)
  • 1995 – First all-direction impact-absorbing, self-resetting, breakaway bow-mount system (Bowguard 360™)
  • 1999 – First auto stow/deploy & power trim electric trolling motor
  • 2000 – First auto stow/deploy & power trim transom-mount hand control trolling motor with 4:1 steering ratio (Vantage®)
  • 2002 – First electric trolling motor with integrated and protected transducer compatible with major fish finder brands (Universal Sonar)
  • 2003 – First trolling motor wireless remote control (CoPilot™)
  • 2004 – First 3:1 steering ratio hand control trolling motor (3X steering)
  • 2005 – First cable steer trolling motor with gas-charged spring for stow and deploy (Lift-Assist on Maxxum® Pro)
  • 2007 – First trolling motor with integrated dual beam sonar transducer (83 & 200 kHz) and temperature sensing (Universal Sonar 2)
  • 2009 – First one-hand stow transom trolling motor (Traxxis®)
  • 2009 – First Mono-Arm bow-mount trolling motor (Fortrex®)
  • 2010 – First wireless remote controlled GPS based trolling motor navigation system (i-Pilot®)
  • 2011 – First auto-deploy/retract electro-mechanical shallow water anchor (Talon®)
  • 2013 – First wireless, GPS-controlled trolling motor navigation system that communicates with a Humminbird fish finder (i-Pilot® Link™)
  • 2014 – First 112 lb. thrust trolling motor
  • 2014 – First electro-mechanical shallow water anchor with user-selectable anchoring modes (Talon 10 and 12 ft.)
  • 2015 – First auto stow/deploy & power trim electric trolling motor with integrated GPS-controlled trolling motor navigation system (Ulterra™)
  • 2016 – First 72″ shaft trolling motors
  • 2017 – First cable-steer motor with Power Steering and i-Pilot/i-Pilot Link GPS capabilities, including Spot-Lock (Ultrex™)

Minn Kota (Short Bio)

Established in 1934, Minn Kota® has served as an industry leader in the trolling category. The company has led the way in product innovation and cutting-edge technology from day one, when O.G. Schmidt first strapped a propeller to a starter motor from a Model A. Since the company has continued to lead the way in innovation with trolling motor accessories, GPS-enabled motors, battery chargers, and electro-mechanical shallow water anchors.