Updated: 05/08/2009 3:15 PM KSTP.com | Print Story
By: Becky Nahm

1st Metro-area fishing opener means money for WBL

Fishing and lakes info Related stories:  Gov. Pawlenty talks fishing tips, a bit of politics  "Walleye" helps bring opener to WBL  Interactives:  Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener  KSTP.com's 2009 Fish Spotter  Fishing resources on KSTP.com  Have a great fish tale? Share it with us!  Web directories to family-friendly lakes Weather tools:  Build your own forecast  Get weather on your cell phone  Watch latest forecast  Expert tips:  Tackle Terry: Try using crank bait   'Old school' tips can still catch fish   Walleye-catching tips from Tackle Terry

Hundreds of thousands of people will pack up their fishing gear and head out to Minnesota lakes first thing Saturday morning.

It the opening day of the state's walleye, sauger and northern pike season.

Many of those anglers will head to White Bear Lake--home of the 61st Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener.

This is the first time the event has been held on a metro lake, and business owners in White Bear Lake and surrounding communities are excited.

Jim Hansen, owner of Hansen's Little Bear Bait shop, the lone bait shop left in town, expects to bring in double the dollars he normally would this weekend.

The Department of Natural Resources said the number of fishing licenses sold is up nearly $30,000 over 2008.

As of Wednesday, the agency had sold more than 256,000 licenses.

Meet the "walleye" who helped bring fishing opener to WBL