13 hours Ago By Staff Report
LITTLE FALLS, Minn. – The Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame has announced its inductees for 2025. Inductees in the Individual Legends category are Jimmy Bell, Don Pursch and Jon Thelen.
In addition, Nesheim Bait and Tackle in Brainerd and Ray’s Sport and Marine, which got its start in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, will be enshrined in the Organizations category. The Hall of Fame annually recognizes up to four individuals and two groups or organizations that have made a major impact on Minnesota’s sport fishing industry. Individuals must be a Minnesota resident, have lived in the state for a minimum of 25 years, be at least 50 years old and have made meritorious contributions to the sport of fishing.
Businesses and organizations also may be nominated, provided they are registered in Minnesota and have made similar noteworthy contributions to fishing. Here’s a closer look at this year’s Hall of Fame inductees. A professional angler with over 30 years of experience, Bell has earned titles such as “National Angler of the Year” and “Rookie of the Year” while winning national tournaments and amassing $350,000 in career earnings.
Bell also has been a key advocate for youth and student anglers, establishing and growing programs like the Student Angler Organization (SAO) and the Minnesota Student Angler Tournament Trail (SATT). He helped create over 50 high school fishing teams and launched the Lund Virtual Fishing League during the 2020 Covid shutdown, which has since expanded to multiple states. As a board member of MN-FISH and the National Professional Anglers Association, Bell has played an instrumental role in promoting conservation and youth engagement in fishing.
A professional fisherman and guide, Pursch began fishing at age 3 near Longville, Minnesota. Specializing in muskie fishing, Pursch has guided anglers for over 40 years in northern Minnesota and Canada, earning a reputation for catching big fish. He has worked with notable TV anglers like Roland Martin and Babe Winkleman, appeared on ESPN’s “Hunt for the Big Fish” and hosted fishing specials for In-Fisherman.
Pursch also played a key role at Camp Fish, mentoring young anglers and hosting TV specials. He operated Nielsen’s Fly-In Lodge in Ontario for over 30 years, guiding for trophy fish. Now retired on Leech Lake, Pursch continues to fish and inspire others.
His contributions to Minnesota fishing, especially in muskie fishing, have left a lasting legacy. Thelen is a renowned fishing expert with over 20 years of experience as a tournament angler, guide, educator and television personality. Raised in Anoka, Minnesota, he competed in walleye tournaments from 1997 to 2015, achieving numerous top finishes, including fifth in the 2008 Angler of the Year standings.
Thelen is best known for hosting “Lindy’s Fish Ed” and “Jon Thelen’s Destination-Fish Television,” both highly successful shows that reach millions of households. He also creates educational fishing content on YouTube, with over 12 million views. A prolific writer and speaker, Thelen has contributed to over 150 magazine articles and appeared on more than 25 magazine covers.
His work extends to mentoring young anglers and speaking at major fishing events. Founded in 1932 by Sam and Esther Nesheim, Nesheim Bait became a cornerstone of the Brainerd Lakes area’s fishing community. Sam, known as a “minnow-man,” started by selling minnows and expanded into a bait shop and hatchery.
After Sam’s death in 1967, his son Frank and his wife Lucy took over, growing the business with deliveries to resorts and adding products like worms, leeches and minnows. In 1975, they moved to a new location on state Highway 371, where they ran the business for 35 years, providing live bait and fostering a loyal customer base. Their children grew up helping in the business, and Nesheim Bait became a hub for local anglers and fishing celebrities.
Retiring in 2002, the Nesheims’ legacy continues through the Nesheim Bait Photos Facebook page, celebrating their 65 years of work in the bait and tackle business. Founded in 1943 by Ray Hernesman in Grand Rapids, Ray’s Sport and Marine began as a family owned flour and feed store. By 1962, it was helping Grand Rapids equip residents for hockey.
In 1983, after Yamaha Outboards entered the U.S., Ray’s became a dealer, eventually adding Sea Nymph boats.
In 1987, Ray’s took on Lund Boats, becoming the largest Lund dealer in the nation. Over the years, Ray’s has grown into a marine industry leader, employing over 90 people and earning numerous customer service awards. With stores across Minnesota, Ray’s offers brands like Lund, Crestliner, Alumacraft and Bennington Pontoons.
The company has supported over 12 high school fishing teams, helping kids pursue their fishing dreams. Four generations deep, Ray’s Sport and Marine continues to create lasting memories for Minnesota families. The official Hall of Fame enshrinement will take place Friday, Sept.
26, 2025, at the Rice Creek Hunting, Rec and Event Center in Little Falls..
