The Big Fish (roadside attraction)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Big Fish is a roadside attraction located three miles west of Bena, Minnesota in the unorganized territory of North Cass. The 65-foot-long wooden structure takes the form of a muskie fish. The Big Fish was built as a drive-in restaurant in 1958, though it only operated as a restaurant for a few years. The Big Fish Supper Club, located next to the fish-shaped building, was opened in 1972. The Big Fish and the Big Fish Supper Club are located near the south shore of Lake Winnibigoshish, known locally as Lake Winnie.[1][2]
Midwestern United States cultural historian Eric Dregni described The Big Fish as "uniquely Minnesota" and named it one the state's seven wonders, along with sites such as the Kensington Runestone and the Darwin twine ball.[3] It is a popular spot for photographs for tourists to the area.[4]
The Big Fish is 65 feet long and 15 feet wide (19.8 and 4.6 m, respectively).[5] The structure was built using white ash beams for a skeletal structure, covered with roofing paper and painted with stripes to resemble a muskie.[3] The fish's red eyes were originally fashioned out of round Coca Cola signs.[3]
