A personal journey through tradition, travel, and the communities that make Wisconsin’s Fishing Opener one of the state’s most meaningful outdoor celebrations.
If you’ve spent any time in northern Wisconsin, you know how beloved and eagerly awaited the fishing opener is. For me, it’s more than a new season—it’s a tradition. I’ve been fishing as long as I could walk—(yeah, I know everyone says that) but I swear I’ve had a rod in my hand since before I could spell ‘walleye’, and as a lifelong Wisconsinite, the opening weekend for walleye has always been something to circle on the calendar.
Back in the day, my family would pile onto our grandpa’s old pontoon, chase walleyes (or crappies if the bite sucked), and enjoy a quiet kind of magic that only comes with being out on the water at dawn. Years later, my husband Jay and I kept that tradition alive—camping at Lake Chippewa Campground on the Chippewa Flowage, waking up before the sun, and setting off with friends in search of fish, laughter, and memories. Some mornings were calm and glassy, with eagles chirping in the trees or soaring overhead and just enough bites to keep you smiling.
Throwback photos from our 2016 campsite at Lake Chippewa Campground. We also stayed at Musky Tale Resort in cabins 2017 and 2018!
But everything changed for me in 2023, when I was invited to attend my first Wisconsin Governor’s Fishing Opener in Price County. That’s when this long-held tradition turned into something even bigger—a way to celebrate not just the sport I love, but the local communities that make fishing in Wisconsin so special.
What Is the Governor’s Fishing Opener?
The Wisconsin Governor’s Fishing Opener is an annual tourism and community event that celebrates the opening of Wisconsin’s inland fishing season, while also spotlighting the host community. Created as a joint effort by the Northwest Regional Planning Commission, area chambers of commerce, and with support from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, the event aims to:
-Promote outdoor recreation and tourism
-Highlight the economic and cultural impact of fishing in Wisconsin
-Offer a platform for state leadership, media, and local businesses to come together
The opener features not only fishing, but a weekend of festivities including community tours, educational activities, youth outreach, and opportunities to meet with the Governor, DNR officials, and regional leaders.
Each year, a different northwest Wisconsin county hosts the event, giving communities a chance to share their unique local flavor, natural resources, and hospitality with a broader audience.
First organized as a promotional tool by the Wisconsin Department of Tourism, the Governor’s Fishing Opener has grown over the decades into a highly anticipated media event. While the exact origins trace back to statewide efforts in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the modern format—highlighting northwest Wisconsin counties through tourism partnerships and media involvement—has helped shine a spotlight on the region’s rich outdoor heritage.
A Typical Weekend at the Governor’s Fishing Opener
While every year brings a unique flair depending on the host community, the weekend schedule tends to follow a familiar and well-loved rhythm:
Friday – Community Showcase & VIP Dinner
Friday kicks off with a showcase tour of the host community’s local gems. In 2023, we visited sites like the Round Lake Logging Dam, the Smith Rapids Covered Bridge (a stunning lattice bridge), and took a full tour of the St. Croix Rod factory. The day concluded with a VIP dinner at the Northwoods Supper Club in Fifield, where state officials, media partners, and tourism leaders gathered.
In 2024, the day’s stops included the Log Cabin Store in Danbury, the Jordan Buck statue, and a visit to Fort Folle Avoine before an evening dinner at the Zhashagiins Event Center.
Saturday – Fishing & Community Celebration
Saturday begins with a local breakfast (shoutout to the 2023 breakfast burrito box and 2024’s meal at The REC), followed by a morning of fishing on local waters. While the bite doesn’t always cooperate, the camaraderie and setting never disappoint.
Post-fishing, attendees gather at a local park for a family-friendly celebration. In Price County, we gathered at Elk Lake Park in Phillips, and in Burnett County, the festivities were held at Crooked Lake Park in Siren. Both offered a welcoming space for games, vendors, DNR educational booths, and a classic Wisconsin fish fry. It’s one of the most heartwarming parts of the entire weekend—seeing locals, guests, and visitors of all ages come together to celebrate the opener.
2023 – Discovering Price County
My first Governor’s Opener brought me to Price County, where I explored places I’d never visited before. We kicked things off with a tour of the legendary St. Croix Rod factory. We kicked things off with a guided tour of the St. Croix Rod factory in Park Falls, the birthplace of some of the finest handcrafted fishing rods in the country. It was incredible to see the craftsmanship behind each rod—from the graphite blank construction to the detailed wrapping and finishing work done by hand. The pride they take in their “Best Rods on Earth” motto was clear in every step of the process. For any angler, it felt like walking through a temple of innovation and tradition.
We stopped at the Concrete Park, popped into Ross’s Sport Shop, and grabbed a killer breakfast burrito from a place I wish I could remember the name of—but man, did they set the tone right. Dinner at the Northwoods Supper Club in Fifield sealed the deal: this was a community full of pride, heart, and some seriously good food.
On the water, we fished from the boat with friends and caught a few small walleye in dreary weather—but the real win was experiencing a brand new fishery with familiar company.
2024 – Exploring Burnett County
The next year took us to Burnett County, where the opener had us bouncing between towns and taking in everything from the Jordan Buck statue to the Fort Folle Avoine Historical Park.
We visited the Log Cabin Store in Danbury, grabbed coffee at Cross Hatch in Siren, and I made a must-stop at the Burnett Dairy Co-op (seriously, a highlight). This opener was filled with cozy moments, cool shops, and incredible locals who made you feel welcome at every turn.
Fishing-wise, it was a tough bite on Yellow Lake—lots of pike, no walleye—but it was one of those days where the stories beat the stats.
More Than Just Fishing
What makes the opener even more special is what happens after the boats come in. Each year, the local host community puts on a celebration in one of their public parks, complete with:
- Games, vendors, and educational booths
- DNR fish-tagging demonstrations and survey net displays
- Live music or DJs
- Lunch and giveaways
- A chance to meet the Governor, DNR officials, and local leaders
These events highlight not just the economic importance of fishing, but the cultural roots that make it a tradition worth preserving.
2025 – Looking Ahead to Barron County
This year’s Wisconsin Governors Fishing Opener will be held in Barron County, centered in Rice Lake—a place I’ve visited my whole life, but oddly enough, never fished. I grew up fishing the river below the lake with my grandma, so this feels like a full-circle moment.
I’m excited to see what the weekend holds: new water, fresh faces, and another chapter in what’s become one of my favorite traditions. I’ll be sharing a full recap after the event—hopefully with sunnier skies and a few fish stories worth telling.
Final Thoughts
The Governor’s Fishing Opener isn’t just about opening day. It’s about celebrating Wisconsin’s outdoor heritage, supporting local economies, and sharing the joy of fishing with new people in new places.
For someone like me—who’s fished the Northwoods since before I could see over the side of a boat—it’s an honor to be part of something that honors the sport, the culture, and the communities that make Wisconsin feel like home.
And every year, as I take to the water in a new county, I think back to where it started for me: fishing Shue’s Pond and the river with my grandma below the Rice Lake dam, and casting lines off the dock with my mom, dad, and sister while our old boat sat nearby waiting for tubing runs. Those memories are the foundation of why I love this sport—and why I’ll keep showing up, season after season, in honor of the people who first taught me to cast a line.
Fishing will always be more than just a hobby—it’s how I connect with the place I love most. Wisconsin’s waters have shaped who I am. They’ve given me lifelong friendships, quiet mornings that feel like prayer, and countless chances to reflect, reset, and reconnect. I can’t think of anything more worth celebrating.
Want to see more from the opener?
Follow along on my Instagram @skozlowskiii and make sure to check back here for a post-event blog after Rice Lake.
