Ventura to kick off Minnesota fishing opener

International Falls will have a little more pomp this weekend as Rainy Lake hosts the “Governor’s Fishing Opener.”
Gov. Jesse Ventura is in town to kick off the walleye season on behalf of the Minnesota Office of Tourism.
After taking part in a round of golf this morning, the wrestler-turned-politician will make a public appearance at a community picnic planned at Smokey Bear Park today from 4:30-7:30 p.m.
He’ll be off fishing tomorrow morning on Rainy Lake in hopes of muscling in that first “big catch.” A shore lunch, awards ceremony, and celebration dinner will follow.
“It’s shaping up to be a great event,” Falls Chamber of Commerce director Shawn Mason said yesterday “All folks from Fort Frances are welcome to attend the picnic. There’ll be free food and free games.”
This is the fourth time in the last 50 years that International Falls has hosted the governor’s opening, which traditionally is used to promote the area to the numerous outside media outlets.
“We’ve been planning this for about year. We’re pretty exciting,” added Mason.
The Ontario walleye/sauger season opens next Saturday (May 18).