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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Fishing opener can boost tourism in the region

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Sixteen thousand, six hundred seventy-eight.

 That’s the number of people in northeastern Minnesota who work in tourism, leisure and hospitality, according to the most recent figures from Explore Minnesota, the state’s tourism promotion office. Here’s an even bigger number: $816 million. That’s the amount of gross sales our region racked up from tourism in 2013.

 Pretty soon we will have a great opportunity to show just why this is true:  the Governor’s Fishing Opener is coming to Lake Vermilion May 7-10. That means “the lake of the sunset glow” and all this area has to offer will be headline news across the state:  our gorgeous parks, historic sites, hiking and biking trails, golf courses, entertainment destinations, and – of course – absolutely spectacular fishing.

 Thank the Lake Vermilion Resort Association. The organization’s members, representing resorts, hotels, inns, campgrounds and cabins, have spent the past 65 years protecting and promoting the things that make this area so special. They clearly know what they’re doing; this is the second time in a decade that they have hooked the fishing opener.

 And what an event it will be, with the fishing challenge, shore lunch, kids fishing event, community picnic, celebration dinner and more. Forget Memorial Day:  this is the real start of the summer tourism season in the minds of Minnesotans. Even Mother Nature seems to be on board this year – unlike during the past two openers, the ice should actually be out by May!

 Fortune Bay Resort Casino is thrilled to be part of this year’s opener. We will be the headquarters for the event, and there is plenty planned for all ages. Besides fishing, you can explore the new Lake Vermilion State Park, visit area landmarks, or take a day trip to unique destinations like the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, the Soudan Underground Mine State Park, or the Vince Shute Bear Sanctuary.

 Tourism is big business in Minnesota, and it’s been getting bigger. Despite national economic woes, sales in Minnesota’s leisure and hospitality businesses grew 49 percent from 2003-13, rocketing from $8.7 billion to $13 billion – more than $35 million per day. The travel and tourism industry accounts for 11 percent of our state’s private sector jobs, meaning that out of every 10 people you know, someone could depend on tourism to make a living.

 We all need a strong, thriving tourism industry, and the Fishing Opener will be a great opportunity to reel in old and new visitors to this great region.

Kevin Leecy

Lake Vermilion, Minn.

Mr. Leecy is the chairman of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, which owns and operates Fortune Bay Resort and Casino.