Otter Tail County Showcased During Governor’s Fishing Opener

(KNSI) – Otter Tail County got to show off its rich assortment of lakes during the 73rd Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener.

The lakes were packed with anglers on a picture-perfect sunny day in Otter Tail County to start Minnesota’s walleye and Northern pike fishing season.

2021 Governor’s Fishing Opener Event Committer Chair Erik Osberg talked about the impact on the area.

“We put guests in a couple of dozen resorts. And that was kind of our goal. We didn’t want it to be about one place. One resort, one lake, one thing, we wanted to do a county-wide celebration. We had people on Dead Lake. We had people on Battle Lake. We had people spread out throughout the county.”

Otter Tail County has more lakes than any other in Minnesota, and it has more lakes than any other county in the United States.

Osberg put that into perspective.

“We have 1048 lakes. And I’ll put that in perspective if you visited one lake a week. Okay, one lake a week, it would take you 20 years to see them all. So, take some time to go out and find your inner otter. ”

He says resorts were packed in 2020, and they’re expecting an even busier year in 2021.

Governor Tim Walz was on Otter Tail Lake around 5:45 on Saturday morning and caught a small perch.

The governor left the lake around 8:00 to head back to St. Paul to continue with budget negotiation as the Minnesota Legislative Session comes down to the wire.

Because of the session, Walz missed the send-off ceremony on the shores of Otter Tail Lake, but Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen stood in his place.

The commissioner talked about the fishery in Otter Tail County.

“You guys I know are known as panfish paradise. We’re also here on the shores and incredible walleye fishery. I know you’ve sturgeon in this county. And so I think it’s fitting that we’re here in Otter Tail County to celebrate the county with the most lakes. To celebrate that diversity of opportunity and accounting with so many quality fisheries that people can try.”

During the send-off, it was announced that Explore Minnesota Tourism Director John Edman was retiring after 21 years.

Jake Judd (KNSI News)

“I don’t think anybody would replicate the first Governor’s Fishing Opener I did with Jesse Ventura, when he had a wetsuit on a jetski going behind is at the start of the fishing opener, you know, when you don’t really see that every day.”

Edman worked for four governors.

“And as different as they all are. There’s one thing that ties them (the governors) altogether. And that is the love of the outdoors. They all love Minnesota, they love our natural resources, love fishing, and always love this event because of how it celebrates who we are as Minnesotans.”

KNSI Anchor/Reporter Jake Judd caught two walleyes and four crappies on Rush Lake in Otter Tail County. He and his host, Josh Apple, also caught numerous northern pike and rock bass.

The winner of the statewide virtual fishing tournament held during the Governor’s Fishing Opener, the #Only In MN Cup, was Travis Ferrell.

The Battle Lake man caught his winning fish at 6:12 in the morning.

Minnesota hasn’t yet selected a site for the 2022 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener.

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