Governor Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith to open fishing season at Lake Vermilion
ST. PAUL, MN - As nearly 500,000 Minnesotans gear up to go fishing this weekend, Governor Mark Dayton is getting ready to host Minnesota's 68th Annual Governor's Fishing Opener at Lake Vermilion in Tower, Minnesota. Headquartered at Fortune Bay Casino, the weekend's events will feature fishing, family fun activities, and a community picnic in downtown Tower that is expected to draw a crowd of more than 2,000 Minnesotans.
"I thank the Lake Vermilion area communities, and Fortune Bay casino, for their tremendous work in hosting this year's Governor's Fishing Opener," said Governor Dayton. "Lt. Governor Tina Smith and I are looking forward to this weekend's events. With help from my great fishing guide, Buck Lescarbeau, and a little bit of luck, I hope to catch a fish this weekend."
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).
"Minnesota has a proud fishing tradition. This weekend more than 500,000 anglers are expected to participate in the opener," said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. "Governor Dayton and I are looking forward to celebrating the season's start at Lake Vermilion, which is home to great fishing and recreational opportunities."
Governor Dayton's Fishing Opener Public Schedule
The following is a list of public events that Governor Dayton will be attending at this year's Governor's Fishing Opener at Lake Vermilion.
Vermilion State Park Groundbreaking
At 2:00pm on Friday, May 8, Governor Mark Dayton will join Lt. Governor Smith and former Governor Tim Pawlenty for a groundbreaking ceremony for a new campground at Lake Vermilion State Park (Lake Vermillion State Park - Armstrong Bay Day Use Area, 1302 McKinley Park Road, Soudan, 55782). Members of the press are invited to attend.
Fishing License Purchase
Governor Dayton will purchase his fishing license at the Soudan Community Store in Soudan on Friday, May 8 at 3:00pm (Soudan Community Store, 27 Main St, Soudan, Minnesota 55782). Members of the press are invited to attend.
Tower Community Picnic
Governor Dayton will provide remarks at the Tower Community Picnic on Friday, May 8 at 4:00pm. The Governor will greet picnic attendees, and hold a media availability beginning at approximately 4:20pm. (Tower Civic Center, Poirer Road and Main Street, Tower, Minnesota 55790).
Midnight Fishing
Governor Dayton, Lt. Governor Tina Smith, fishing guide Tim Buck Lescarbeau, former Chief Justice Eric Magnuson, Congressman Rick Nolan, and Brian Anderson, Ely native and cabin host, will go fishing on Lake Vermilion at 12:01am on Saturday, May 9, from the docks of host Brian Anderson's cabin (Cabin of Brian Anderson, 1325 Whiskey Point Road, Tower). Members of the press are invited to attend.
Morning Fishing and Sendoff Ceremony
Governor Dayton will hold a formal sendoff ceremony and media availability before departing for fishing on Saturday, May 9. The sendoff ceremony will begin at 8:00am at the Docks and Marina of Fortune Bay Casino Resort. The Governor will begin fishing at approximately 8:20am. Fishing with the Governor will be fishing guide Buck Lescarbeau, Majority Leader Tom Bakk, Speaker Kurt Daudt, and Fortune Bay CEO Norm Adams. The Governor will also take questions from the press when he returns after fishing. (Fortune Bay Resort - dock area, 1430 Bois Forte Road, Tower, Minnesota 55790).
Lt. Governor Tina Smith's Fishing Opener Public Schedule
The following is a list of public events that Lt. Governor Tina Smith will be attending at this year's Governor's Fishing Opener in the Lake Vermilion Area.
DNR MnAqua Kids Fishing Activities
At 10:45am on Friday, May 8, Lt. Governor Smith will participate in a MnAqua youth fishing event hosted by the Minnesota DNR (Fortune Bay Resort - dock area, 1430 Bois Forte Road, Tower, Minnesota 55790). Members of the press are invited to attend.
Vermilion State Park Groundbreaking
At 2:00pm on Friday, May 8, Lt. Governor Smith will join Governor Dayton and former Governor Pawlenty for a groundbreaking ceremony for a new campground at Lake Vermilion State Park (Lake Vermillion State Park - Armstrong Bay Day Use Area, 1302 McKinley Park Road, Soudan, 55782). Members of the press are invited to attend.
Fishing License Purchase
At 3:00pm on Friday, May 8, Lt. Governor Smith will join Governor Mark Dayton as he purchases his fishing license. The Lt. Governor purchased her fishing license ahead of the Trout Opener on April 18. (Soudan Community Store, 27 Main St, Soudan, Minnesota 55782). Members of the press are invited to attend.
Tower Community Picnic
At 4:00pm on Friday, May 8, Lt. Governor Smith will provide remarks at the Tower Community Picnic (Tower Civic Center, Poirer Road and Main Street, Tower, Minnesota 55790). Members of the press are invited to attend.
Midnight Fishing
At 12:01am on Saturday, May 9, on Saturday, May 9, 2015, Lt. Governor Smith will join Governor Dayton for midnight fishing (1325 Whisky Point Road, Tower, Minnesota 55790). Members of the press are invited to attend.
Morning Fishing and Sendoff Ceremony
At 8:00am on Saturday, May 9, Lt. Governor Smith will provide remarks at the formal sendoff ceremony before departing for fishing (Fortune Bay Resort - dock area, 1430 Bois Forte Road, Tower, Minnesota 55790). The Lt. Governor will begin fishing at 8:20am. Members of the press are invited to attend.
Shore Lunch
At 11:30am on Saturday, May 9, Lt. Governor Tina Smith will attend a shore lunch (Fortune Bay Resort - dock area, 1430 Bois Forte Road, Tower, Minnesota 55790). Members of the press are invited to attend.
