What:
The U.S. Postal Service will issue its Freshwater Fishing Lures stamps at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, MO, on March 13. This release celebrates the beauty and ingenuity of some of America’s most successful freshwater fishing lures with a colorful pane of 20 Forever stamps featuring five different, close-up photographs of five popular designs.
The first-day-of-issue event for the Freshwater Fishing Lures stamps is free and open to the public. News of the stamps is being shared with the hashtag #FishingLuresStamps.
Who:
John DiPeri, vice president, regional processing operations — Western Region, U.S. Postal Service
When:
Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 11 a.m. Central
Where:
Bass Pro Shops, Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium500 W. Sunshine St.
Springfield, MO 65807
RSVP:
Attendees are required to register at usps.com/fishingluresstamps to receive free admission to Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium.
Background:
From the earliest handmade wooden lures to modern swimbaits made of advanced materials, there are countless freshwater fishing lures available, each designed to meet the specific needs of the angler.
Crankbaits, or plugs, are popular among anglers because they are relatively easy to use. They attract a variety of fish, including bass, walleye and pike. Their unique swimming action is generated by a plastic lip and curved body, which make the lures dive and wiggle just by reeling them in. Anglers tend to run these lures along the bottom, bouncing them off rocks, logs or other submerged structures.
An in-line spinner lure is made to mimic the movement of a swimming bait fish, attracting predator fish with a spinning blade and a weighted body that create vibration in the water. They often have tails dressed with feathers, animal hair or rubber skirting to attract bass, trout, pike and other species in shallow streams, deeper rivers and lakes.
Spoon lures have been around since the 1800s and are named for their concave shape. It is believed that a blacksmith in Vermont created the first spoon lure by sawing off the handle of a spoon and attaching a hook. Spoons have remained popular because their unique movement and glimmer under water are so effective at catching fish, especially bass, pike and trout.
Topwater lures are extremely popular and are designed to be used on the surface of the water.
Wakebaits use metal or plastic wings to create a commotion like the wake of a boat as they skim the surface. A popper has a concave face that creates a popping sound when it is pulled across the water.
Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps using original photographs by Sarah Cramer Shields.
As Forever stamps, Freshwater Fishing Lures will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.
