Park Rapids Announced as the site of the
2013 Governor’s Fishing Opener!
Explore Minnesota Tourism
State of Minnesota
Contact: Jill Boldenow, 651-757-1862, jill.boldenow@state.mn.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2012
Park Rapids To Host 2013 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener
Next year’s 66th annual Governor’s Fishing Opener, May 10-11, 2013, will be held in the Park Rapids Lakes Area, a popular destination for outdoor recreation. Located in northwest Minnesota, the Park Rapids area is home to many great fishing lakes, Itasca State Park, the Heartland Trail, Lake Country Scenic Byway, and the Chippewa National Forest.
“The Park Rapids area has a long history as a family vacation destination. Holding the Governor’s Fishing Opener here is a great way to focus on this area’s lakes, family resorts, parks and trails, and excellent fishing. Park Rapids reflects what’s great about fishing and travel throughout Minnesota, and that is what the Governor’s Fishing Opener is all about,” said John Edman, director of Explore Minnesota Tourism.
The 2013 Governor’s Fishing Opener will be hosted locally by the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, along with many sponsors and local volunteers. Dennis Mackedanz will chair the committee of volunteers to plan the event.
“The Park Rapids Lakes Area is a great destination to host the Opener,” said Mackedanz and Katie Magozzi, executive director of the Park Rapids Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, in a recent statement. “Our community’s slogan, ‘Now This is Minnesota,’ reflects our focus on outdoor recreation and the natural assets that make Minnesota a great vacation state. Our excellent local fishing, recreational activities, attractions and points of interest are a perfect fit for the 2013 Governor’s Fishing Opener.”
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. Travel and tourism generate $11.3 billion in leisure and hospitality gross sales in Minnesota annually.
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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Governor Dayton opens the 2012 fishing season on Lake Waconia.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2012
Fishing Opener Hosts Selected for Governor and Lt. Governor
Travis Frank
A pair of accomplished anglers from Waconia will host Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Yvonne Prettner Solon on Lake Waconia for the 2012 Governor’s Fishing Opener on May 12. Travis Frank will fish with Governor Dayton, and Matt Peters will fish with Lt. Governor Prettner Solon.
Travis Frank is a professional angler, founder of Trophy Encounters Professional Guide Service, and a producer for Ron Schara Productions. He grew up in Waconia and began fishing as a young boy, learning from his father and grandfather. He guided his first client at age 16, and he has taken people from all over the country fishing for the past twelve years. Frank’s greatest reward is watching others land the largest trophy of their life. His obsession and specialty is the muskellunge, but he has fished nearly every species in the upper Midwest, with his adventures taking him all across Minnesota and neighboring states.
In addition to his role as a producer for Ron Schara, Frank is a co-host on WCCO’s weekly radio program, Live Outdoors, and a contributor to KFAN and several publications. Frank’s other pursuits include spending time with friends and family, blogging about fishing on his website, and hunting, camping, traveling, and taking photographs.
Matt Peters
Matt Peters grew up on Lake Waconia. Like Travis Frank, Peters has fished since he was old enough to hold a rod and reel, and he too started his first guide service at the age of 16. He continues to provide fishing guide services year-round, and he shares his passion for fishing on his website, which reaches over 3,000 monthly readers. Peters has over ten years of experience on the professional fishing circuit, including participation in over 50 bass tournaments. In 2010, he fished the FLW Tour as well as many other national events.
When he’s not chasing fish on Lake Waconia, Peters spends time bow hunting, giving seminars, participating in youth and charity events, and spending time with his family.
The Governor’s Fishing Opener has been a tradition in Minnesota since 1948. The Opener is an opportunity to highlight local fishing and other recreational activities, attractions and points of interest. The Opener is also a kick-off celebration for the statewide summer tourism season. Travel and tourism generate $11.3 billion in leisure and hospitality gross sales in Minnesota annually.
