Food+Drink

His Fish Could Be Your Fish

Bullfrog Fish Farm owner hopes to sell business

Barbara Arnold, photos by Mary Mihajlov |

CHECK OUT THIS CASTING CALL. Patrons enjoy fishing for their own dinner at Bullfrog Fish Farm outside Menomonie. Owner and “Soul Proprietor” Herby Radman is hoping to sell the business, which opened in 1994.
CHECK OUT THIS CASTING CALL. Patrons enjoy fishing for their own dinner at Bullfrog Fish Farm outside Menomonie. Owner and “Soul Proprietor” Herby Radman is hoping to sell the business, which opened in 1994.

Visit the Bullfrog Fish Farm website at www.eatmyfish.com these days, and you might almost miss the headline “SHARED AD-VENTURE and/or Farm for Sale” toward the bottom of the left navigation bar. The farm is a one-of-a-kind place where folks can fish, watch what they’re going to eat being cleaned, and actually sit down with a pop or a beer and eat the fish they caught. Now, after 21 years in business, Herby Radmann – the self-described “Soul Proprietor” of the Bullfrog Fish Farm – is pondering his coming adventures.

“I’m 65 years old, and it’s time for the farm to transition leadership,” shares Herby from his home near the farm, just south of Menomonie. “I’m not sure to what or to whom or with whom, but a transition nevertheless.” There have been a few serious inquiries recently, and he has met with the interested parties who he hopes will continue the realization of his dream and take it to the next level. “The accomplishments of this first generation fish farm adventure, by any standard, represent the foundation and wherewithal needed to grow the farm’s present vision and/or launch a new one,” he adds.

“I’m 65 years old, and it’s time for the farm to transition leadership. I’m not sure to what or to whom or with whom, but a transition nevertheless.” – Herby Radmann, “soul proprietor” of Bullfrog Fish Farm, on his desire to sell the business

In “The Fish Farm Short Story,” published online, Herby describes how he bought the land in 1979 for the purpose of a rural farm/business. “A 1987 discovery of plentiful and pure water resource hidden just below the surface of a marginal and sandy farm field gave vision to fish farming as a way of life,” he wrote. “Out of the gumption and wit of rural culture … and after seven years of research, design, construction and planning – Herby Radmann was able to initiate his fish farm business in March of 1994.”

In the meantime, folks continue to visit, fish, and eat. Herby continues to give tours, and even on the day of our interview, he and his crew had just finished giving 60 kids plus supportive staff from a special camp free rein to fish and to eat, all under the theme of eating healthfully.

Herby, an intuitive and thoughtful man, is already known for spending a considerable amount of time in a rocking chair on his porch. It’s a place where new ideas can be realized and the ways to make them happen can be found. “One of my favorite quotes is ‘Just don’t do something – Sit there!’ ” he says. “I find this approach to be most efficient and effective.” Get ready for the implementation of Herby’s next ideas.

The Bullfrog Fish Farm • N1321 566th St./Bullfrog Road, Menomonie • (715) 664-8775 • www.eatmyfish.com