ST. PAUL– Photos from this weekend's Governor's Fishing Opener event on Big Sandy Lake in the McGregor area will be posted for the media on Friday, May 13, in the evening and Saturday, May 14, in the afternoon.

 

This is the 69th annual Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener, hosted by Gov. Mark Dayton. The event celebrates the many fishing, recreational and travel opportunities in the McGregor area, and is a kickoff to Minnesota's summer travel season.

 

Photos of Gov. Dayton, Lt. Gov. Tina Smith and various opener activities will be posted by Friday, May 13, at 11 p.m. Photos of Gov. Dayton and Lt. Gov. Smith fishing will be posted by Saturday, May 14, at 2 p.m.  A full gallery of photos from the opener, including various events and the Governor's Fishing Opener banquet, will be posted by Monday, May 16. Photos may be downloaded at http://www.mngovernorsopener.com/photos/.

 

You can also follow along via social media, using #MNGFO2016 and #OnlyinMN.

 

2016 Governor's Fishing Opener activities include: Taste of McGregor; area history tour, golf at Minnesota National Golf Course; Kids Fishing Event; ATV ride; FLOE Craft Boat Tour of Big Sandy Lake & Raspberry Island; Community picnic (downtown McGregor – open to public); Fishing send-off ceremony; Shore lunch.             

 

On Saturday, May 14, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, local residents, dignitaries, various media and community hosts will gather on Big Sandy Lake to open the highly anticipated Minnesota walleye fishing season.

 

The 2016 Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener is organized by Explore Minnesota, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, McGregor Area Chamber of Commerce and Big Sandy Lodge & Resort.