Governor's Fishing Opener teaches young Minnesotans about water stewardship
With great fishing, to borrow a phrase, comes great responsibility.
Since November, Katie Fritz has been teaching a group of fourth graders in the north-central Minnesota community of McGregor about the finer points of this year-round pastime in the Land of 10,000 Lakes—and explaining that it’s about more than just dropping a line in the water.
“The kids and I talk a lot about how Minnesota is a water-rich state. Water starts here,” says Fritz, an aquatic education specialist with Minnaqua, a branch of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources that connects about 50,000 kids to Minnesota’s waters a year through fishing. “We send water to lots of places; it’s the headwaters of the Mississippi and the headwaters of the Minnesota. Most of our borders are water. Anything we put into Lake Superior affects life all around us.
“So in addition to having a lot of good fishing,” she adds, “we have also have a lot of responsibility to be good stewards of that water.”
Today, those fourth graders will have a chance to put their casting and rigging talents to the test—as the kids’ fishing event helps kick off the two-day Minnesota 2016 Governor’s Fishing Opener on Big Sandy Lake. A treasured Minnesota tradition dating back to 1948, this annual event promotes the state’s recreational opportunities—particularly fishing—and hails the kickoff of the summer tourism season.
The host community of McGregor expects about 2,500 people to attend today’s community picnic in Pine Rail Park. Meanwhile, a large group of invited guests—including Gov. Mark Dayton, Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, their respective staffs, and media representatives—will congregate in the McGregor area for events that include:
- A history tour of the area, including Savanna Portage State Park, the Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge, and the Big Sandy Lake Dam;
- A Taste of McGregor culinary tour;
- A boat tour of Big Sandy Lake and Raspberry Island;
- A golf tournament; and
- A fishing challenge, with about 100 local fishing hosts, on Big Sandy Lake.
“The Governor’s Fishing Opener is a great way to spread the word about our community,” says event chair Lisa Kruse. “The McGregor area is really a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts—ATV and snowmobile trails, fishing, cross-country skiing, hiking, golfing, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding.”
Enbridge, and its employees, have been part of the northern Minnesota community for more than 65 years. Enbridge is a sponsor of the Minnesota 2016 Governor’s Fishing Open, and we’ll also have a contingent of employee and contractors from the area helping out as volunteers.
As for the kids’ fishing event today at Big Sandy Camp, these young sportsmen and sportswomen will be performing a water habitat site study, learning life jacket safety, rigging up their own new fishing poles, and trying their luck.
“These students,” says Fritz, “will become the fishing ambassadors in their community.”
