The Governor’s Fishing Opener is a long-standing Minnesota tradition that brings communities together around one of our state’s favorite pastimes.

At least, that’s what I’ve been told.

Despite the annual event being held in the lakes area several times in the past decades, this year’s was the first time I had gotten the chance to take part in and witness the event firsthand.

What I’ve gathered from coworkers who’ve covered past Governor’s Fishing Openers is that it used to be much more of an all-hands-on-deck celebration that included the people of the community where it was held.

Now, since COVID, it still works to highlight its host community, but has largely been relegated to events catering to media coverage.

From the media side of the opener, it was interesting getting to see a v

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