Fishing opener turns political in Otter Tail County

In this era of red vs. blue, even a walleye can become a political football.

The Governor's Fishing Opener, set for May 15 in Otter Tail County, has drawn criticism from some residents who aren't fans of Gov. Tim Walz.

Nick Leonard, deputy Otter Tail County administrator, told the County Board this week that he's fielded a few phone calls from residents who aren't thrilled to have Walz visit.

"There will be folks who want to make this about the governor," Leonard said at a board meeting. Walz got about 36% of the vote in the 2018 election while his Republican opponent, Jeff Johnson, got about 61%.

"What I've tried to stress with the phone calls and what I also want you to hear … it is not an endorsement," he told the board.

Walz expressed confidence that the event would go off without a snag.

"The Governor's Fishing Opener is a time-honored tradition that transcends politics," he said in a statement. "It brings Minnesotans together, brings tourism to communities across the state and puts a spotlight on the outdoor opportunities Minnesota has to offer.

"The Governor thanks Otter Tail County for planning this exciting weekend, and he looks forward to dropping a line soon."

Otter Tail County was set to host the fishing opener last year, but the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leonard said the opener will bring hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue to hard-hit resorts and restaurants, as well as providing valuable media exposure for the area's outdoor attractions. With 1,048 lakes, Otter Tail has the most lakes of any county in the United States.

"It's a good opportunity for folks to get into a boat … to talk about catching walleye instead of what's happening in St. Paul," Leonard said.

John Reinan • 612-673-7402