LITTLE FALLS, Minn. — Editor's note: The video above first aired on KARE 11 on Aug. 8, 2023.
Fishing: It's as Minnesotan as Honeycrisp apple pie.
That's why the executive director of Little Falls' Fishing Museum and Hall of Fame appeared before the House Legacy Finance Committee Friday, making the case to help fund operations she said serve as not only "a cultural institution," but also a "vital pillar of Minnesota's identity."
"I come before you today with a plea that echoes the heartbeat of our beloved Minnesota Fishing Museum and Hall of Fame," Executive Director Brenda Perlowski told the committee. "As custodians of our state's fishing legacy, we have encountered challenges in recent times."
Perlowski said escalating insurance and utility costs, partnered with the absence of a cash reserve, have "cast a shadow of uncertainty" over the museum's future, a fact she shared as part of her emotional plea.
"We now find ourselves at crossroads, and without your support, our journey may come to an abrupt end," she said.
The institution first opened its doors in 1998, with the mission to preserve and display artifacts representative of freshwater fishing history in Minnesota. The museum also offers educational programming, like storytelling sessions and techniques and tips of the trade.
One of its most popular offerings, the Master Angler Program, is designed to spotlight Minnesota anglers practicing responsible fishing. Perlowski called the program a "cornerstone" of angling education and a "guardian of Minnesota's freshwater fishing history."
"Fishing isn't just a past time here; it's engrained in our identity, culture and economic fabric," she said.
The museum, which has relied on funding from the public for the past two decades, was designated as Minnesota's official Fishing Museum last year.
Perlowski hopes that with the state designation now behind them, getting a piece of the state's plentiful purses still lay ahead.
"With your endorsement of $150,000 from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, we can navigate the storm, ensuring that future generations can continue to explore, learn and be inspired by our fishing heritage," she said.
With State Rep. Ron Kresha (R-Little Falls) championing a bill to appropriate the money, it's now up to the state to either fish, or cut bait.
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