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EXPLORE MINNESOTA TOURISM                                   NEWS RELEASE

State of Minnesota

May 15, 2010                                        Contact: Carol Altepeter 218-828-2334

carol.altepeter@state.mn.us

Grand Rapids Area To Host Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener Next Year

Explore Minnesota Tourism announced that the 63rd Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener has been awarded to the Grand Rapids area. The annual event, which promotes fishing and tourism in Minnesota, will be held May 13-14, 2011.  Next year’s Fishing Opener will be based at Ruttger’s Sugar Lake Lodge, with fishing on Pokegama and other area lakes.  Grand Rapids last hosted the Governor’s Fishing Opener in 1999.

“The Grand Rapids area is a great destination to host the Opener.  The community’s slogan, ‘It’s in Minnesota’s Nature,’ reflects their focus on outdoor recreation, a perfect fit for the Governor’s Opener. The community also has a long history of grand hospitality,” said John Edman, director of Explore Minnesota Tourism, the state agency that coordinates the event.

The 2011 Governor’s Fishing Opener will be hosted locally by Visit Grand Rapids, the City of Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, along with many sponsors and local volunteers.  Shannon Benolken, director of Itasca County Habitat for Humanity, and Gary McInerney, Grand Rapids city council member and real estate agent, will lead a team of volunteers to plan the event.

A statement released by the co-chairs expressed their delight in being named the host community: “We are extremely pleased that Grand Rapids was selected as the host community for the 2011 Governor’s Fishing Opener.  Being able to showcase our community and all it has to offer is a tremendous opportunity.  We are looking forward to working with Explore Minnesota in the coming year and to welcoming our new Governor.”

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.

The Opener provides the host community with an opportunity to highlight local fishing and other recreational activities, attractions and other points of interest.  Media from throughout the region attend the event, resulting in significant publicity for the host community and Minnesota.

More information is available at: www.mngovernorsopener.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: CJ Johnson  651-757-1851

Curt.johnson@state.mn.us

Fishing Opener Guides Selected for Governor and Lt. Governor

St. Paul, Minnesota (May 4, 2010) – Two professional fishing guides have been selected to host Governor Tim Pawlenty and Lt. Governor Carol Molnau on Lake Kabetogama for the 2010 Governor’s Fishing Opener on  May 15. Tim Watson will fish with Governor Pawlenty, and Frank House will fish with Lt. Governor Molnau.

Watson, a real estate agent and president of the Kabetogama Historical Society, has been a fishing guide for more than 30 years.  He’s been a resident of the Kabetogama area for most of his life, and has owned a resort, worked as a high school basketball coach and seasonal interpreter at Voyageurs National Park, served as president of the local tourism bureau, and was a member of the Citizen’s Council on Voyageurs National Park.

An avid promoter of the area, Watson enjoys his work as a guide not only for the fishing, but also for the opportunity to meet new people and introduce them to the unique experience of Voyageurs National Park. “This area is a national treasure,” says Watson.

Lt. Governor Carol Molnau will be hosted on the water by life-long Kabetogama resident Frank House.  He and his wife owned a resort on Lake Kabetogama for many years.  House has been fishing and hunting since he was a boy, and is now a licensed fishing guide as well as bear hunting guide.

“Enjoying our beautiful woods and wildlife are what living in this area is all about,” says House.  “Once you fish our walleyes and northerns and see our beautiful lake and scenery, Kabetogama will call you back.”

Contact:  Tim Watson  218) 875-2075    Email: fishkab@citlink.net

Frank House 218) 875-3051

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Event Dates: May 13-16, 2010

ST. PAUL, MN (May 9, 2009) – Governor Tim Pawlenty announced today that Kabetogama Lake will be the site of 2010 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener. The 62nd annual kickoff of the fishing season will be held May 14 and15, 2010. Governor Pawlenty made the announcement at this year’s event at White Bear Lake.

Kabetogama Lake is located in Northeast Minnesota and is one of four lakes that make up Voyageurs National Park. Situated near the U.S.-Canadian border, Kabetogama Lake has miles of pristine undeveloped shoreline and 25,000 acres of water.

“Kabetogama Lake is a choice location for the Opener with its great fishing and rich history of voyageurs and fur traders”, said John Edman, director of Explore Minnesota Tourism, the state agency that coordinates the event. “The Lake Kabetogama and Ash River Trail area provides a traditional family-owned resort community experience and showcases one of the gems of Minnesota, Voyageurs National Park .”

The event was last held in this area in 1982 with Governor Al Quie.

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. It also provides the host community with an opportunity to highlight local fishing and other recreational activities and attractions.