Wahpper

Wahpper can be found at the north end of Wahpeton, on the banks of the Red River within the Kidder Dam Recreation Area.[1] The sculpture is 40 feet long, 12 feet tall (including its pedestal) and weighs more than 5,000 pounds.[1]

Wahpeton's Visitor's Committee (now the Convention and Visitors Bureau) viewed a giant sculpture as a good way to market the town and its natural resources.[2] The Red River is formed by the Bois de Sioux and Otter Tail Rivers, and the headwaters is in Wahpeton; people come from multiple states to fish the river's abundant channel catfish.[2] $12,000 was raised to create the sculpture, which was raised by multiple organizations, including the Wahpeton Visitors Committee, the Wahpeton Park Board, and local businesses.[2] It was placed at the site on August 3, 1997, with a opening celebration that included serving catfish to guests.[2]

The artist was Dave Oswold, the same sculptor that created other fiberglass creations such as Salem Sue in New Salem, North Dakota and the 143-foot long sculpture of a muskie at the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward, Wisconsin.[2][3] The Wahpeton sculpture is credited as the world's largest sculpture of a catfish,[2] however, there is a larger catfish statue in Dunnville, Ontario standing at 50 feet long and 27 feet high.[4] The fish's name, "Wahpper," is a playful nod towards a very big fish, or a "whopper," combined with the town's name.[2] During the river's spring flooding, the sculpture is surrounded by water, giving the impression the fish is swimming.[1][5]