Driving into Kenora, Ontario, usually means one thing: you’re about to see a fish that could swallow a minivan. It’s hard to miss. Standing at 40 feet tall in McLeod Park, Husky the Muskie is more than just a massive hunk of fiberglass and steel. He’s the undisputed king of the Trans-Canada Highway. Honestly, if you didn’t take a selfie in front of those giant, slightly menacing teeth, did you even visit northwestern Ontario?
Probably not.
A Centennial Project With a Grudge Against Pollution
Way back in 1967, Canada was celebrating its 100th birthday. Everyone was doing the "Centennial project" thing. Some towns built community centers. Others paved roads. Kenora? They decided they needed a giant fish.
The idea came from the local Chamber of Commerce. They wanted a mascot that actually meant something to the region. Since Lake of the Woods is basically the holy grail for muskie anglers, a muskellunge was the obvious choice. But they didn’t just want a statue; they wanted a messenger.
Husky the Muskie was born with a very specific slogan: "Prevent Water Pollution." It sounds a bit like something a school teacher would say today, but in the late 60s, this was a pretty bold move. The fish wasn't just a gimmick; it was a 40-foot reminder that if the lake died, the town’s main draw died with it. Bill Brabooke was the guy who won the naming contest, beat out hundreds of other entries, and gave us the name we still use today.
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Building a Two-and-a-Half-Ton Monster
You’ve gotta wonder how you actually build something this big. It wasn't exactly 3D printed. Jules Horvath and Bob Selway from Deluxe Signs and Displays were the masterminds behind the original build. They spent over 1,000 hours putting this thing together.
Basically, they carved the shape out of Styrofoam first. Imagine the mess that made. Then they covered it in a massive amount of fiberglass. Here’s a quick breakdown of what’s actually inside Husky:
- One ton of steel for the "bones."
- 36 sheets of plywood for the structure.
- 3,500 bolts holding the whole thing together.
- 700 pounds of resin and 500 square feet of fiberglass matting.
It’s built in two halves. They had to hoist those giant pieces onto a massive steel I-beam and weld them together on-site. When it was finished, it weighed about 5,000 pounds. That’s roughly the weight of a full-grown rhinoceros, but, you know, in fish form.
The Great Makeover of 2022
If you saw Husky a few years ago, he was looking a little... tired. The sun and the brutal Northern Ontario winters are not kind to paint. He was fading into a weird, chalky grey-green.
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In 2022, the City of Kenora brought in the big guns: Dinosaur Valley Studios from Alberta. These guys usually work on T-Rex skeletons and museum exhibits, so a giant fish was right up their alley. They gave him a full facelift.
The new paint job is much more "Tiger Muskie" than the original. It’s got that wet, glossy look, which makes it look like Husky just jumped out of the lake and onto the pedestal. They even fixed up the eyes to make them look more realistic. Some people think the new look is a bit more aggressive, but hey, muskies aren't exactly known for being cuddly.
Why Husky the Muskie Still Matters
You might think a giant fish statue is just a cheesy roadside attraction. And sure, it kinda is. But for Kenora, it’s a symbol of survival.
Lake of the Woods is huge. It has over 14,000 islands and 65,000 miles of shoreline. It’s a messy, complicated, beautiful ecosystem. The muskie is the apex predator here. They call it the "fish of 10,000 casts" because they are notoriously hard to catch.
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By putting Husky right on the waterfront, the town is planting a flag. It says that this water matters. It’s a weirdly effective piece of environmental marketing that has lasted over 50 years.
Finding the Giant Fish
If you’re looking for him, just head to McLeod Park. It’s right on Lakeview Drive (the Trans-Canada Highway/Highway 17).
There’s plenty of parking, and the park itself is actually a great spot for a picnic. You’ve got the lake right there, some nice walking paths, and usually a bunch of Canadian geese that you definitely shouldn't try to pet.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
- Timing is Everything: If you want the best photo, try to get there during the "golden hour" right before sunset. The way the light hits the new glossy finish makes the fish look almost alive.
- Check the Mouth: While you can't climb inside to the mouth anymore like people used to claim (safety regulations are a buzzkill), you can still get right up to the base for some perspective on how massive those teeth are.
- Explore the Park: Don't just snap a photo and leave. Walk the "Green Belt" path. It gives you some of the best views of the Harbourfront and the MS Kenora cruise ship when it’s docked.
- Support Local: Head downtown afterward. The "Muskies on Main" art project often has smaller, artist-painted muskies scattered around town during the summer months. It's like a scavenger hunt for fish nerds.
Husky the Muskie is a survivor. He’s been through restorations in the 90s and again recently. He’s watched the town change from a rugged mill town to a premier summer destination. He’s seen a million tourists come and go. And as long as people keep caring about the water he "lives" in, he’ll probably be standing there for another 50 years.
Plan your stop at McLeod Park during your next drive through Kenora. Make sure to have your camera ready, as the scale of the statue is much more impressive in person than in photos. After visiting the statue, take a 10-minute walk along the waterfront toward the downtown core to see how the "Prevent Water Pollution" message has shaped the local community's relationship with Lake of the Woods.