Friends in Minnesota gather to honor fishing Hall-of-Famer Tom Neustrom

Cohasset, Minn. — The Minnesota DNR dedicated the Tioga Public Water Access in Cohasset last Friday in the name of Tom Neustrom, hall of fame fishing guide and conservation advocate. Tom died in July 2026 at the age of 77, leaving a legacy as one of Minnesota’s most influential anglers.

Neustrom began his professional career as a police officer in Chicago. However, after a life-changing call that nearly cost him his life, Neustrom sought a more serene pace of life in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

His curiosity about the habits of fish grew into a second successful career as a guide, conservation advocate, and outdoor communicator. In recognition of his accomplishments, Neustrom was inducted into both the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and the Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame.

Neustrom was an incredible angler who loved the spirit of fishing and sharing the experience with others.

“Tom introduced countless people to fishing through seminars, regular radio spots and podcasts,” DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said. “He also cared deeply about the resource, contributing his time and experience to many DNR efforts over the years. Tom always reminded us that the work is more than regulations, meetings, and management plans; it’s about people, places and the responsibility to leave something healthy and meaningful for those who come after us. In recognition of those ideals, we’re honored to dedicate the Tioga Public Water Access in his name.”

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Neustrom’s input from his involvement at the DNR fishing roundtable and membership in the State Walleye Advisory Committee and Mille Lacs Advisory Committee helped guide the DNR’s work in fish management, season setting, and improving the angling experience. Tom’s contributions leave a legacy that will live on through generations of anglers.

“Our family is deeply moved by this dedication,” said the Neustrom family. “Tom would be so incredibly proud. We hope everyone who uses this access finds the same happiness that he always did.”

The DNR recently completed a renovation of the Tioga PWA as part of the Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences) initiative. Funding for this initiative, and investment in boating access and fishing infrastructure more generally, was something for which Neustrom advocated. The Tioga PWA will reopen to the public as the Tom Neustrom Memorial Tioga Public Water Access.