Lake Vermilion becomes classroom at Governor’s Fishing Opener

Lake Vermilion’s multitude of bays and inlets will become a classroom for hundreds of young anglers on May 13 - 14 as they learn about fishing and fish habitat at the 2005 Governor’s Fishing Opener.

Staff from MinnAqua, the Department of Natural Resources angler retention and recruitment program, will lead sessions on casting, knot tying, fish identification, fish art and more throughout the weekend. Youth from 4-H, Girl Scout, Boy Scout, and Boys and Girls Clubs will go fishing with local partners.

“Opening weekend is a great celebration of fishing,” said Jenifer Matthees, MinnAqua program coordinator. “There is not a better time to get young anglers involved and excited about the sport.”

Since its inception in 1990, MinnAqua has reached out to almost 500,000 individuals through programs that promote aquatic stewardship and recruit future anglers.

In the past 15 years, MinnAqua has been recognized by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation as one of the premier aquatics education programs in the country.

MinnAqua has formed long-term partnerships with the Great Lakes Aquarium, Three Rivers Park District, Minnesota Extension Service, Minnesota Department of Education, and the University of Minnesota.

MinnAqua is developing a classroom curriculum for elementary school educators that integrates fisheries education, Minnesota academic standards, and environmental literacy with angling and aquatics education. This curriculum has gone through a strenuous evaluation process including reviews by experts in fisheries and education.

“The MinnAqua activities at the Governor’s Fishing Opener are part of the new curriculum,” Matthees said. “We’re very excited and pleased to be part of the event.”

More information on MinnAqua is available online at www.dnr.state.mn.us.