Minnesota Fishing Opener Set for Crosslake in 2025
Minnesota Fishing Opener Set for Crosslake in 2025
By James Riemermann
Minnesota's annual Governor's Fishing Opener is a treasured tradition that celebrates our state's great angling opportunities and signals the start of summer. Keep reading to get details on 2025's two-day event, and get ready to cast your line for walleye, trout, bass, northern pike and less popular species like sunfish, crappies, perch and catfish.
When is the 2025 Minnesota Fishing Opener?
Minnesota state statute requires the opener to occur precisely two weeks before the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend. In 2025, that means the fishing opener will align with Mother’s Day weekend: May 9-10.
Fishing is a way of life across the state. So much so that there's a Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener each year, a tradition that dates back to 1948. That makes 2025 the 77th anniversary of the event, which will take place in Crosslake.
The Governor's Fishing Opener was designed to improve Minnesota’s economy through the development and promotion of the state’s recreational opportunities, especially fishing. The first opener was a cooperative promotion between the state’s resort industry, media and public officials. Today, the emphasis is even broader. It celebrates the kickoff of the summer tourism season with a promotional focus on a host community as well as recreational opportunities statewide
Fishing the Mississippi River at Pike Island in the Twin Cities / Zane Spang
More Minnesota Fishing
Minnesota offers some of the best freshwater fishing in the country, from big lakes to scenic trout streams and even the mighty Mississippi. Whether you're looking for tips on where to find walleye, the best season to catch a trophy-sized fish, where to go fly fishing or how to embrace ice fishing, there's no better place to go fishing than Minnesota.
James Riemermann is a retired writer and editor. Raised in St. Paul, he's a city boy who feels more at home in the woods. Sitting by a campfire on the shore of a quiet north woods lake is his idea of paradise.