[ST. PAUL, MN] – In anticipation of the 2022 Governor’s Fishing Opener event, Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan purchased their fishing licenses and Walleye stamps at the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“With our fishing licenses in hand, the Lieutenant Governor and I are now ready to start placing bets on whose catch will be bigger,” said Governor Walz. “ The Fishing Opener is incredibly important for our state’s vibrant $2.4 billion fishing industry, and I can’t wait to drop a line bright and early on Opener Weekend on Lake Winnie. This is the unofficial kickoff to our summer tourism season, and one of the best days of the year to celebrate the extraordinary outdoor opportunities our state has to offer.”

“Fishing is something that has always brought Minnesotans together, and we are excited to carry on this legacy with Take a Mom Fishing Weekend and the Governor’s Fishing Opener,” said Lieutenant Governor Flanagan. “The Minnesota DNR makes fishing licenses, information, and guides very accessible and affordable, so make sure to get yours in the two weeks! I’m excited to put my license to use and hopefully celebrate this kickoff with a Walleye dinner!”

“The fishing opener is such an important tradition to Minnesotans and the excitement is building for the half-a-million anglers who will cast a line on May 14,” DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen said. “This time is also a reminder of how critical it is to invest in our natural resources because we can experience the return on that investment as we head out to access public waters and enjoy a diversity of angling opportunities.”

This comes after the Governor spoke with Hall of Fame Fisherman Tom Neustrom and Twin Cities guide Larry Hanson on Reel Talk Outdoors radio on Sunday, May 1 to promote the event. Today, the Governor will participate in the first State of Minnesota Fishing Summit hosted by MN-FISH to discuss strategies to improve fishing throughout Minnesota. The Lieutenant Governor plans to mark Take a Mom Fishing Weekend (May 7-8) on Lake Minnetonka with her daughter along with DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen and her son.

On May 13 and 14, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor will host a variety of events and celebrations to celebrate the kickoff to the summer tourism season near Lake Winnibigoshish. Events will take place in and around the Chippewa National Forest, Cass Lake, Lake Winnibigoshish, and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe lands in north-central Minnesota.

Governor's Fishing Opener participants include Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Chairman Jackson, Sr., DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, Explore Minnesota Director Lauren Bennett McGinty, Minnesota Fishing Hall of Fame guide Tom Neustrom, Leech Lake fishing guide Rory Haaland, DNR Fisheries Section Manager Brad Parsons, and other DNR and tourism staff and local representatives. The Governor has also invited a bipartisan group of legislative leaders to join him for this event.

Minnesota boasts about 1.4 million licensed anglers each year and a half a million who fish during the fishing opener. Anglers who purchase the voluntary $5 walleye stamp contribute funds to a dedicated account for walleye stocking to maintain and enhance Minnesota's famed walleye fishing. Minnesotans have extensive fishing opportunities — for a great variety of fish species — at 4,500 fishing lakes plus 3,800 miles of trout streams and 16,000 miles of fishable streams and rivers.

Members of the media can register and find a list of event times and locations on the 2022 Governor’s Fishing Opener website.