ST. CLOUD, MN – The 2017 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener was a success! With perfect weather in the St. Cloud area, Governor Mark Dayton, Lt. Governor Tina Smith, and their fishing parties caught over 40 fish on the Mississippi River.
Lifelong St. Cloud area residents Todd Bissett and Josh Hagemeister, highly successful anglers and fishing guides, hosted Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith, respectively.
Joining the Governor in his boat were House Speaker Kurt Daudt, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, and Majority Leader Gazelka’s daughter, Lydia Gazelka. Altogether, the Governor’s boat caught six fish, including a 17.5-inch smallmouth bass caught by Governor Dayton; a northern pike and a smallmouth bass caught by Speaker Daudt; two smallmouth bass caught by Majority Leader Gazelka; and one smallmouth bass caught by Lydia Gazelka.
Joining the Lt. Governor’s boat were House Majority Leader Joyce Peppin, Deputy Senate Majority Leader Michelle Benson, House Minority Leader Melissa Hortman, and House Assistant Minority Leader Ilhan Omar. Altogether, the Lt. Governor’s boat caught 35 fish, including many smallmouth bass and rock bass. Lt. Governor Smith caught six fish total, including two dogfish; Majority Leader Peppin caught eight fish, including the only walleye catch of the day; Deputy Majority Leader Benson caught five fish; Minority Leader Hortman caught three fish, including one dogfish; and Assistant Minority Leader Omar caught the most fish of anyone today, catching thirteen fish total.
