Walz Reveals 2023 Governor’s Fishing Opener Location, But He May Not Be Governor

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is already making his plans for fishing opener 2023 with the announcement of the location of the yearly Governor’s Fishing Opener, which is assuming of course that he's still the Governor.

2023 will mark the 75th year of the annual event designed to bring attention to one of Minnesota's biggest pastimes, fishing, and each year the Governor of Minnesota along with other state dignitaries hit the lakes in hopes of catching something worth showing to the media.

Walz says in the official announcement, "I am incredibly excited to bring the longtime tradition of the Governor’s Fishing Opener to Southern Minnesota and my hometown of Mankato. This region is home to an extraordinary diversity of fishing opportunities on over 100 lakes and rivers."

Having the Governor’s Fishing Opener in Southern Minnesota is a rare event, this would mark only the 5th time since 1948 that it has been held there, and the first time that Mankato has hosted the event.

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The 2023 event will be held from May 12th - 13th and is planned each year by Explore Minnesota in coordination with the Governor's office and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Sarah Strommen, Commissioner of the MNDNR says about the decision to come to Mankato, "Not only are the nearby lakes well-known for walleye and northern pike fishing, the Minnesota River is home to more than 80 fish species, including sauger, white bass, and trophy catfish.

For 2022 Walz visited the Chippewa National Forest, Cass Lake, Lake Winnibigoshish, and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe lands in north-central Minnesota for the official opener, before that he visited  Otter Tail County and Albert Lea. I think it's time Walz visited Northern Minnesota for a proper fishing opener, that is if he makes it until 2024.

One would assume that if Walz loses the 2022 election, the next Governor would be on their way to Mankato for the event. Here's a flashback video I found of the 1998 fishing opener with Governor Arne Carlson that features a song that you'll be singing the rest of the day.