Wahpper - Wahpeton, North Dakota - Figurative Public Sculpture on Waymarking.com

This painted fiberglass sculpture, 40 feet long, 8 feet high, weighing 5000 pounds, depicts a channel catfish and is on display in Kidder Recreation Area, along the Red River of the North in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Artist Dave Oswald, who has also made other large fiberglass sculptures, created this giant fish for the Wahpeton Visitors Committee. It was installed in August 1997.

The catfish has been repainted at least once.

The sculpture's belly rests on a 4-foot pedestal made to resemble fieldstone. In severe flooding, the fish can appear to be swimming.

Although it is billed as the World's Largest Catfish, and was when it was created, there is now a larger catfish sculpture in Dunnville, Ontario.

Sources:
Betz, Katie, A Wahpper of a Tale, Daily News, June 1, 2019
World's Largest Catfish, Roadside America
Worlds Largest Catfish, North Dakota Tourism Division
Catfish Statues, Roadside Architecture
World's Largest Things in North Dakota, Olio in Iowa
Wahpper, Wikipedia

Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Wahpper Figure Type: Animal Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Dave Oswald Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: 1997 Materials used: Fiberglass Location: Kidder Recreation Area

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Date Logged Log User Rating   08/25/2023 wanderfish visited it