Grand View Lodge and Brainerd Lakes Area to host 2014 Governor’s Fishing Opener

It’s official – the 67th Annual Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener event will be held at Grand View Lodge on Gull Lake and will be highlighting the Brainerd Lakes Area, May 8-11, 2014.

While the governor’s fishing opener has been a Minnesota tradition since 1948, the last time it was last held at Grand View Lodge in Nisswa was in 1976. “The Fishing Opener will provide a great fishing experience and a glimpse into all that there is to see and do, ranging from world-class golfing to extreme mountain biking, in this outdoor paradise of the Brainerd Lakes Area,” said Mark Ronnei, Grand View Lodge General Manager.

With Minnesota’s hospitality and leisure industry grossing $11.9 billion annually, the fishing opener is just one of many Minnesota traditions that will help boost the area’s success next year and hopefully years to come.

As the 100 year anniversary of Grand View Lodge is right around the corner, this event has the opportunity to bring in “300 plus media personalities to the grounds of Grand View Lodge to cover not only the Fishing Opener, but also highlight the area’s long standing history,” said Frank Soukup, Director of Marketing at Grand View Lodge.

The theme for the event is a Grand Fishing Opener. Steve Mau, owner of Brainerd General Rental, and Soukup, are serving as co-chairs of fishing opener and Nate Grotzke, of Close-Converse Real Estate, is a sponsor chairman. “The Grand Fishing Opener will be a great way to pull the community together with a state-wide event while showcasing the great staff and amenities that Grand View Lodge and the area has to offer,” said Soukup.

While the Grand Fishing Opener committees and activities will be decided over the next couple of months, there are several known activities that are guaranteed to be a component of the exciting weekend. Grand View Lodge will be offering a golf tournament at the Pines Golf Course, as well as host the Shore Luncheon, Kids Fishing Tournament and the actual Governor’s Fishing Event on it’s beautiful, sandy shores. In addition, the Community Picnic will be held in Nisswa, supported by hundreds of volunteers with the ability to provide and serve a free Community Picnic and showcase downtown Nisswa in an evening celebration.