Waconia Announced as the site of the
2012 Governor’s Fishing Opener!
Contact: Carol Altepeter, 218-828-2334, Carol.Altepeter@state.mn.us FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 14, 2011
Next year’s Fishing Opener, May 11-12, 2012, will be held on Lake Waconia, popular for fishing, sailing and other water recreation. The town of Waconia sits right along the southern shore of Lake Waconia, the second largest lake in the Twin Cities area. This is the first time Waconia, a community of about 10,000 residents along the western edge of the Twin Cities metropolitan area, will host this event.
“The Governor’s Fishing Opener is a great opportunity to promote fishing and small towns throughout Minnesota. Holding the Fishing Opener in Waconia is a great way to spread the word about Waconia and other charming towns in the state,” said John Edman, director of Explore Minnesota Tourism. “It’s also a great reminder of all the good fishing that can be found right in and around the metro area.”
It’s only the second time the Governor’s Fishing Opener will be held in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. (It was held in White Bear Lake in 2009.)
Waconia is enthusiastic about sharing their hometown hospitality with the media and other guests attending this major event. The 2012 Governor’s Fishing Opener will be hosted locally by the Waconia Chamber of Commerce, who will lead a team of community volunteers to plan the event.
“We are thrilled that Lake Waconia was selected for the 2012 Governor’s Fishing Opener,” said a statement released by event co-chairs Kellie Sites and Becky Larsen. “Showcasing our lake and the small town charm of Waconia is going to be a fantastic experience for our community as well as the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro region. We truly look forward to working with Explore Minnesota and Governor Dayton and we believe everyone will be Hooked on Waconia!”
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
- Governor Dayton holds the 2 1/2 pound northern pike he caught on Pokegama Lake at the 2011 Governor’s Fishing Opener event in Grand Rapids
