Minnesota Hosting Statewide Virtual Fishing Tournament on Opening Weekend

(KNSI) – For the first time, Organizers of the Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener will hold a statewide virtual fishing tournament.

The Governor’s Fishing Opener is in Otter Tail County this year after getting postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Governor’s Fishing Opener Planning Committee Chair for Otter Tail County Erik Osberg says the #OnlyInMN Cup was something the group wanted to start last year.

“One of our desires with hosting the governor’s fishing opener is we wanted to try to create ways for the public to feel like they were participating in it too.”

Over the years, the Governor’s Opener has been a media-driven event for the invitees, dignitaries, and sponsors to highlight tourism in the state.

When fishing begins on May 15th, all anglers will have a chance at winning the #OnlyInMN Cup, along with prizes for catching the biggest walleye.

The competition is walleye-only and catch-and-release. Anyone fishing on Minnesota waters can take part.

Osberg says he hopes this becomes a yearly tradition.

“Our intent was to start this tradition. So then, as the Governor’s Fishing Opener moved around from community to community, there’d be a traveling trophy, like the Stanley Cup.”

Anglers will be using the app FishDonkey to register for the #OnlyInMN Cup. You must use the app to take a picture of a walleye while using a measuring tool to show the fish’s length. The longest fish wins.

There’s an adult competition and a kids competition:

Adult competition:

First place: $1,000 gift card to Fleet Farm
Second place: $500 gift card to Fleet Farm
Third place: $500 gift card to anywhere in Otter Tail County
Fourth place: Fishing rod and hat from Gene’s Sport Shop in Perham
Fifth and sixth place: Life jackets from Onyx

Youth competition: 15 and Under

First place: $400 gift card to Blackfish
Second and third place: Life jackets, a fishing rod, and a shirt from Ben’s Bait Shop in Battle Lake

The Governor’s Fishing Opener is Scheduled to take place in Otter Tail County from May 13th through the 15th.

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