Keith Lusher 04.03.25
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has released its latest Forever stamps series featuring Freshwater Fishing Lures. The stamps were officially dedicated at Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri on March 13.
The new collection showcases five popular lure types: crankbaits, in-line spinners, spoon lures, wakebaits, and poppers. These lures, which mimic natural prey to attract fish in lakes, rivers, and streams, have each played a significant role in the evolution of fishing as a sport.
“With these stamps, the Postal Service celebrates the beauty and ingenuity behind some of America’s most successful lures,” said John DiPeri, USPS Western Region vice president, at the dedication ceremony. “As our design team would tell you, fitting subjects in such a tiny frame is no small feat. However, with their miniature size and design flourishes, fishing lures make ideal stamp subjects.”
The stamps feature photographs by Sarah Cramer Shields and were designed by Greg Breeding, an art director for the USPS. Breeding, who received the project in spring 2023, brought personal experience to the design process.
“Although I am no longer an active fisherman, I grew up going fishing with my dad,” Breeding explained. “His tackle box was filled with lures, including most of those in this issuance, but he wouldn’t let me use them. He insisted that I fish with earthworms. But I always had my eye on those fishing lures!”
The collection includes what appear to be classic lures that will be familiar to many anglers, including the Jitterbug designed by Bass Fishing Hall of Famer Fred Arbogast, alongside what look like a Strike King crankbait, Rebel Pop-R popper, Eppinger Dardevle spoon, and Mepps Aglia spinner.
Johnny Morris, legendary angler, conservationist, and founder of Bass Pro Shops, expressed his enthusiasm for the stamps: “We are honored to be a part of this event celebrating the great sport of fishing at Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in our hometown of Springfield, Missouri. These stamps highlight some of the most iconic freshwater fishing lures throughout history, and we hope they are an inspiration for all to enjoy nature and make happy memories out on the water.”
The pane of 20 stamps features four of each lure type, with “FRESHWATER FISHING LURES” printed in three different colors across the top. The popper and spinner stamps appear slightly longer than the others, reflecting the varying shapes of the actual lures.
Forever stamps are valued at the current first-class mail postage rate — currently $0.73 — and remain valid for mailing regardless of future price increases. They traditionally feature important themes in American culture, with the USPS receiving approximately 30,000 suggestions for new stamp designs annually.
While the release has been welcomed by fishing enthusiasts, some social media users have criticized the USPS, calling on the postal service to “invest more on mature delivery times” and questioning why their deliveries have experienced delays.
The Freshwater Fishing Lures Forever stamps are now available for purchase at the current rate of $0.73 each.
Trending Products
