Assuming you’re a walleye angler, you know Gary Roach. In 1991, he captured the most prestigious title on the most prestigious walleye circuit, winning Angler-of-the-Year honors on the Cabela’s In Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail.
His other tournament achievements, including 1990 Master’s Walleye Circuit Angler-of-the-Year, Central Division Championship and runner-up Team-of-the-Year (with partner Ron Schara), are too numerous to mention.
Gary was instrumental in developing many of the advanced walleye fishing methods today’s anglers take for granted. He designed many of the lures and has taught more people to fish than you will ever realize.
His fish-catching and educational achievements were immortalized in 1988, when Gary was inducted into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, as a legendary angler.
Gary has a love for many things and is a skilled hunter and woodsman.
Perhaps Gary’s greatest talent — is in the kitchen. Equally at home frying, baking, broiling, grilling, boiling, steaming, smoking, pickling or canning wild fish and game, Gary made a name for himself holding impromptu feeds around home long before the world learned what a great fisherman he is.
There is more than one way to cook fish. Gary Knows that, just like he knows there are many ways to catch them.
Mr. Walleye is great on wild game, chicken and chops. Vegetables and seafood are transformed to something special whether you use the breading or batter method. Milk gravy though is the highlight of Mr. Walleye. A couple ounces to ground meat and a little milk…. enjoy!
Enjoy the secrets of a backwoods cook who never sends anybody away from the table hungry.
The Legacy of Mr. Walleye
More Than a Name. A Lifetime on the Water.
Before he became “Mr. Walleye,” he was simply a young boy who loved to fish.
For more than seven decades, Gary Roach has inspired anglers across North America. As a guide, teacher, tournament champion, television personality, and innovator, he helped shape modern walleye fishing. His passion didn’t stop at catching fish—it extended to bringing family and friends together around a great meal.
Welcome to the story behind Mr. Walleye.
A Boy and a Lake
“Every legend starts somewhere.”
Mission Lake.
Northern Minnesota.
A fishing rod.
A curious young boy started fishing at the age of 4 and was a guide by 10.
Long before television cameras and tournament trophies, Gary Roach learned patience, respect for nature, and the excitement of a walleye tugging on the end of a line.
Becoming a Guide
Visitors came north hoping to catch walleyes.
They asked for Gary.
His uncanny ability to locate fish quickly earned him a reputation that spread across Minnesota.
Soon, Gary wasn’t simply guiding fishermen.
He was teaching them.
The Nisswa Guide Era
- The legendary Nisswa Guides
- Resort life
- Minnesota tourism
- How thousands learned to fish
This is where Gary became one of the country’s best-known fishing educators.
The Birth of “Mr. Walleye”
How did someone become known nationwide as Mr. Walleye?
- Television
- Seminars
- Magazines
- Tournaments
- Speaking events
Soon everyone simply called him…
Mr. Walleye.
Tournament Champion
Gallery of trophies.
Teaching Millions
He taught generations how to catch them.
Innovations
Gary has worked with nearly every major fishing company.
- Rods
- Reels
- Boats
- Electronics
- Lures
- Line
- Tackle
Around the Campfire
The best part of every fishing trip wasn’t always the fish.
It was cleaning them together.
Cooking outdoors.
The smell of fresh fish.
Friends telling stories.
That tradition inspired Mr. Walleye Fish Fry.
The Original Fish Fry
Gary created a recipe that would be enjoyed for decades. It’s a simple one step method and anybody can make it. Bev worked the business in all levels. They would travel the world promoting the seminars at events and cooking Mr. Walleye Breading and Batter Mix.
The Legacy Continues
Gary and Bev continue enjoy fishing and cooking fresh fish using the Mr. Walleye Breading and Batter Mix.
