REGIONAL- The snow is melting, ice cover on the lake is dwindling, and right on schedule, plans for the Governor’s Fishing Opener on Lake Vermilion are heating up.

The event is a chance to market the lake both statewide and across the nation, with over 500 invited guests, mostly media from across the region, participating.

“There are lots of opportunities to volunteer,” said Event Chair Jay Schelde, owner of Pike Bay Lodge Resort on Lake Vermilion. Schelde said while he is the named Chair of the event, most of the behind-the-scenes work is being done by staff at Explore Minnesota, along with Mary Somnis from the IRRRB, and Nancy Dougherty from the Lake Vermilion Resort Association, both of whom were involved with the event last time it was on Vermilion.

The biggest need at the moment, Schelde said, is for boat host volunteers who will take fishing guests out on the lake opening day.

“They need to provide the boat and fuel,” said Schelde. “They don’t have to be expert fishermen, but should be familiar with fishing on Lake Vermilion.”

Area guides will be chosen to take out the event VIPs, including Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith, but boat hosts will take care of the rest of the event participants, who include writers and photographers from throughout the region, along with other special guests.

About 150 boat hosts are needed.

Lake Vermilion hosted the Governor’s Opener ten years ago, and many of those volunteers have again stepped up.

“I was a boat host last time,” said Schelde. “It was cold, but believe it or not, almost everyone who had signed up went out fishing. It was a good opener, fishing-wise, you just had to dress for the weather.”

Schelde said his fishing companions were fun to visit with and had lots of good questions about the lake and the area.

“It’s a good opportunity for those familiar with the lake and area to help promote it,” he said.

This year Schelde is predicting a seasonably warm opening weekend.

Anyone interested in learning more about being a boat host should contact Lake Vermilion Guides League member Phil Bakken, at 218-780-3385.

Other volunteer opportunities include helping with participant registration, the Saturday shore lunch, or the Friday night community picnic in Tower.

“We are expecting about 2,000 to attend the free meal,” said picnic organizer Stephanie Carlson. Plenty of volunteer help, before, during, and after the event are needed. The event will also feature free activities for children, displays of new Tracker boats, and information on fishing and how local residents can help stop the spread of invasive species. Tents will be set up outside the Tower Civic Center, with food being served inside. The city will be detouring traffic off of Main Street for the block adjacent to the Civic Center. The city’s Gem Car will help ferry picnic-goers from parking spots to the Civic Center.

People interested in volunteering for the picnic and other related activities can visit the Lake Vermilion Resort Assocation website at www.lakevermilionresorts.com or can call Schelde at 218-753-2430.

Business sponsorships needed

Local event hosts are the Lake Vermilion Resort Association and Fortune Bay Resort Casino. Event sponsor chairs are Josh Gilson, 218-780-5191, and Deb Wiehle, 612-247-3852. Sponsorship opportunities start at $500 and up.

Major sponsors of the event include Cabela’s, Gander Mountain, Tracker Boats, the IRRRB, American Bank of the North, Minnesota Power, Motorola Solutions, and The Timberjay Newspapers. Other sponsors include Captain Ken’s Foods, Minnesota Diversified Industries, North Star Publishing, Pepsi Cola, Lefty’s Tent & Party Rental, Old Dutch Foods, Arrowhead Transit, Brainerd Lakes Chamber, Frandsen Bank & Trust, Pluskwik Photography, Soudan Underground Mine State Park, Tim Johnson State Farm Agency, and the Tower-Soudan Historical Society.

Sponsors receive recognition during the event, tickets for invitation-only events, as well as other opportunities to advertise their business. Upper level sponsors also receive weekend packages for the event, as well as commemorative items.