ST. PAUL, MN – As over 500,000 Minnesotans gear up to go fishing this weekend, Governor Mark Dayton is getting ready to host Minnesota’s 69th Annual Governor’s Fishing Opener at Big Sandy Lake in McGregor, Minnesota. Headquartered at Big Sandy Lake Lodge & Resort, the weekend’s events will feature fishing, family fun activities, and a community picnic in downtown McGregor that is expected to draw a crowd of more than 2,000 Minnesotans.

 

The Governor’s Fishing Opener has been a tradition in Minnesota since 1948. The event was designed to promote the development of Minnesota’s recreation industry, and in recent years, it has served as a kick-off celebration for the summer tourism season. Fishing generates an estimated $2.4 billion in direct retail sales annually in Minnesota, supporting 35,000 jobs statewide. Minnesota has the second-highest angler participation rate of any state in the nation (32 percent).

 

For more information about the 2016 Governor’s Fishing Opener, including a full list of public events, visit this website. Photos of Governor Dayton, Lt. Governor Tina Smith, and various Fishing Opener activities will be posted online at this link throughout the weekend. Follow the conversation on social media with #MNGFO2016 and #OnlyinMN.

 

The following is a list of public events that Governor Dayton will be attending at this year’s Governor’s Fishing Opener at Big Sandy Lake.

 

At 1:45pm on Friday, May 13, Governor Dayton will purchase his fishing license at Willey's Sports Shop in McGregor (Willey's Sports Shop, 46054 Highway 65, McGregor, 55760). This event is open to the press.

 

At 2:30pm on Friday, May 13, Governor Dayton will visit and tour FLOE International (FLOE, 48473 State Highway 65, McGregor, 55760). This event is open to the press.

 

At 4:00pm on Friday, May 13, Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith will provide remarks at the McGregor Community Picnic (Pine Rail Park, Downtown McGregor, 25 North Maddy Street, McGregor, MN, 55760). This event is open to the press.

 

At 8:00am on Saturday, May 14, Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Smith will provide remarks at the formal sendoff ceremony before departing for fishing. The Governor and Lt. Governor will each begin fishing at 8:30am. Immediately upon returning from fishing (at approximately 10:30am) Governor Dayton will hold a media availability (Big Sandy Lake Lodge & Resort, Dock Area, 20534 487th St. McGregor, MN, 55760). This event is open to the press.

 

The following is a list of public events that Lt. Governor Tina Smith will be attending at this year’s Governor’s Fishing Opener at Big Sandy Lake.

 

At 10:00am on Friday, May 13, Lt. Governor Smith will participate in a MnAqua youth fishing event hosted by the Minnesota (Big Sandy Camp, 52511 185th Place, McGregor, 55760). This event is open to the press.

 

At 12:30pm on Friday, May 13, Lt. Governor Smith will take a boat tour of Big Sandy Lake and Raspberry Island Forge (Big Sandy Lake Lodge & Resort, Dock Area, 20534 487th St. McGregor, MN, 55760). This event is open to the press.

 

At 4:00pm on Friday, May 13, Lt. Governor Smith and Governor Dayton will provide remarks at the McGregor Community Picnic (Pine Rail Park, Downtown McGregor, 25 North Maddy Street, McGregor, MN, 55760). This event is open to the press.

 

At 8:00am on Saturday, May 14, Lt. Governor Smith and Governor Dayton will provide remarks at the formal sendoff ceremony before departing for fishing (Big Sandy Lake Lodge & Resort, Dock Area, 20534 487th St. McGregor, MN, 55760). The Lt. Governor and Governor will each begin fishing at 8:30am. This event is open to the press.

 

At 11:30am on Saturday, May 14, Lt. Governor Smith will attend a shore lunch at Big Sandy Camp (Big Sandy Camp, 52511 185th Place, McGregor, 55760). This event is open to the press.

 

At 6:00pm on Saturday, May 14, Lt. Governor Smith will provide remarks at the 2016 Governor’s Fishing Opener Celebration Dinner (Minnesota National Golf Course, 23247 480th Street, McGregor, 55760). This event is open to the press.