A monster spoonbill sturgeon, measuring 39 inches long from tip to tip, and weighing approximately 15 pounds, was speared in the Minnesota river by Alfred Gareis, son of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Gareis, residing on North Front street, Friday morning. The spoon-bill has a length of about nine inches. The miniature whale created considerable interest while on display in a show window at the Sportsmen’s Paradise on North Minnesota street, following its capture.

Mr. Gareis experienced quite a thrill when he saw what he had speared, and found it somewhat difficult to land the big fish. The tail of the queer-looking aquatic denizen greatly resembles that of a shark in shape. The eyes are located at the root of the spoon-bill, and the mouth of the sturgeon can be opened several inches. There are no teeth.

Instead of being rounded, like those of ordinary fish, the gills of the spoon-bill sturgeon are pointed, forming quite a long flap. The sturgeon has no scales, its skin being as smooth as that of a catfish or bullhead. It is blue-black on its back and white on its front. Following its capture, may any passersby stopped to gaze at it.

Brown County Journal,

February 13, 1975

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