Event Dates: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 12, 13, 14, & 15, 2011

Proposals will be accepted from community organizations such as chambers of commerce, convention & visitors bureaus, resort associations, or a committee formed specifically for the event. A specially formed committee must show documentation of active support from local organizations. Individual lodging properties (resorts, lodges, hotel, motels, etc.) may submit proposals, but must have a community organization as a co-host and sponsor.

Extensive community involvement and support is necessary for a successful event!

For information about the Governor’s Fishing Opener, visit our Web site at www.mngovernorsopener.com.

All proposals must be received by October 1, 2009. To receive a copy of the proposal guidelines or for questions contact:

Carol Altepeter
Governor’s Fishing Opener Event Coordinator
888-629-6466 or 218-828-2334
Email: carol.altepeter@state.mn.us

Governor Tim Pawlenty displays the northern pike caught at the 2009 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener on White Bear Lake as First Lady Mary Pawlenty looks on.

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 on 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.

More information can be found at: www.mngovernorsopener.com.

About Explore Minnesota Tourism

As the state’s tourism office, Explore Minnesota Tourism pursues an entrepreneurial approach, leveraging the state’s tourism investment with increased involvement by the private sector. A council of representatives from the state’s tourism industry strongly connects Explore Minnesota Tourism with tourism businesses and organizations.

Tourism is an $11 billion industry in Minnesota, a key sector of the state’s economy. The leisure and hospitality industry, a major provider of tourism services, employs more than 248,000Minnesotans. More information can be found at www.exploreminnesota.com.

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2009 Governor’s Fishing Opener Sustainable Practices Policy

The 2009 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener planning committee will consider, and implement when feasible, sustainable practices as a part of the planning process.

Sustainable practices include the actions that protect our community and our natural environment, and may impact the following areas: Waste management & recycling, transportation & energy, print materials, and food materials.

Waste Management, Recycling & Composting: Throughout the event, recycling containers will be placed next to all garbage cans, and over 75 student volunteers from the White Bear Schools will attend the “waste stations” at the community picnic to make sure that items are disposed of properly.  The waste stations will include composting, recycling and trash, with minimal trash expected.  All left-over food and disposable serving-ware generated during the weekend will be composted.  Veolia Environmental, the City’s refuse and recycling hauler will provide the public education signage for the event and be on hand to help coordinate the effort.

Food Materials: Vendors and caterers have been asked to minimize use of disposable serving and prep ware. They were also asked to consider buying organic and local when possible.  Famous Dave’s will use larger, recyclable sauce dispensers rather than individually packaged condiments.  Soda will be served by volunteers using portable soda fountains and compostable cups.

Water Billboards is providing over $6,400 in compostable product, including plates, utensils, napkins, cups and water bottles, all of which can be tossed in with food waste to be composted at a commercial compost facility. Water Billboards developed a “plastic-like” water bottle made from corn starch, using a process that separates the nutritional protein from the starch in corn and uses the starch by-product for its bottles.  The protein is then used for farm feed, so nothing goes to waste.  The corn starch breaks down into an organic substance through a commercial composting process. For additional information contact Randy Kamrath at 507-223-7133.

Print Materials: Event organizers and committees have been encouraged to use recycled paper, to only make as many copies as needed, and to post information electronically when possible. Organizations participating at the Community Picnic have been asked to minimize handouts.

Transportation & Energy: Committees have been encouraged to think of ways to reduce energy consumption, including carpooling when possible.  Temporary bike racks provided by Dero Bike Racks will be strategically placed throughout the downtown.  Shuttles will be used throughout the event to transport guests, volunteers, fishing hosts, as well as local residents who want to park and ride to the community picnic.

For additional information contact Ellen Richter with the City of White Bear Lake, 651-429-8505 or erichter@whitebearlake.org

“I’ve been fishing White Bear Lake four or five days a week over the years, but never imagined an opportunity like this would come along,” said Merry, who has guided on White Bear Lake for over 12 years, but now concentrates on fishing for pleasure.

Merry should have plenty of ideas on how to catch walleyes with his years of experience fishing White Bear Lake. He purchased his first boat at age 18.

“Fishing to me is a way of life. You only need a rod, a reel and a good attitude to have a successful day on the water. White Bear Lake has been a passion of mine since I was a young boy. This will be a great opportunity to show that the beauty and tranquilly of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes is not limited to just the northern part of the state,” Merry said. “It’s my hope that the love of fishing and the great outdoors will continue to be celebrated by all those involved with the 2009 Governor’s Fishing Opener. I am looking forward to this experience with the Governor and First Lady”.

About the Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener

The Governor’s Fishing Opener has been a tradition in Minnesota since 1948. The event was originally designed to promote the development of Minnesota’s recreation industry. In recent years, the Opener has served as a celebration kickoff for the summer tourism season. It provides the host community with an opportunity to highlight local fishing and other recreational activities, attractions and other points of interest. Explore Minnesota Tourism, the state agency which coordinates the event, works with the host community each year. For more information, go to www.mngovernorsopener.com

“I am delighted to host the Lt. Governor! We both have a strong interest in the outdoors,” said Stanius, who served in the state legislature with the Lt. Governor and together worked on outdoor recreation initiatives.

Stanius has a life-long attachment to the White Bear Lake community. He has served on the city council, as mayor, and as a state representative. But fishing has always been an important part of his life.

Stanius lives on White Bear Lake and spent most of his childhood on or near the water. “I’ve loved the outdoor lifestyle and enjoy sharing it with others”. He had is first successful fishing trip at the age of 12 when he took some visitors from Iowa bass fishing. Stanius has guided previous governors and other dignitaries including actor Jack Lemmon and his son while they were filming “Grumpy Old Men”.

For over 25 years, Stanius and his fishing partners were among the most successful walleye tournament anglers in the upper Midwest. He retired from tournament fishing in 1994, but continued to share his passion for the sport with friends and family which include 5 children and 10 grandchildren.

Stanius knows how competitive the Governor and Lt. Governor are when it comes to catching fish at the Opener. “I’ll be using my fishing experience to help the Lt. Governor have the winning edge. It will be a friendly, fun competition!”

About the Minnesota 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. In recent years, the Opener has served as a celebration kickoff for the summer tourism season. It provides the host community with an opportunity to highlight local fishing and other recreational activities, attractions and other points of interest. Explore Minnesota Tourism, the state agency which coordinates the event, works with the host community each year. For more information, go to www.mngovernorsopener.com

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Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener

ST. PAUL, MN, May 11, 2008 – Governor Tim Pawlenty announced today that White Bear Lake will be the site of 2009 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener. The sixty-first annual kickoff of the fishing season will be held May 8 & 9.  Governor Pawlenty made the announcement at this year’s event at Breezy Point.

White Bear Lake, often called the “first” Minnesota resort community, is a popular fishing destination for Minnesota’s most sought-after fish,  the walleye. The lake is also known for its abundant supply of Northern Pike, Bluegill, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, and Black Crappie.

The community of White Bear Lake is planning numerous activities for the 2009 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener, including a community picnic with live music, historic tours, a children’s fishing clinic, and a golf outing.

White Bear Lake covers 2,416 acres with a maximum depth of 83 feet.  The crystal clear water allows boaters and anglers to easily see to a depth of more than 15 feet. White Bear Lake is conveniently located 12 miles northeast of St. Paul along the I-694 and I-35E corridor.

“White Bear Lake is a great location for the Opener because it highlights the many water resources that are available in and around the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area,” said John Edman, director of Explore Minnesota Tourism, the state agency that coordinates the event.  “This event is about fishing, but, it is also highlights our host community and the start of our summer travel season.”

This is the first time the event has been held in the Metro region.

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 provides the host community with an opportunity to highlight local fishing and other recreational activities, attractions and other points of interest.

For more information on the Governor’s Fishing Opener Event contact:

Carol Altepeter, Event Coordinator
Email: carol.altepeter@state.mn.us