Reel in Some Fun and a Fish Fry in Hayward at Governor’s Fishing Opener

By Dean S. Acheson

You may not be one of the lucky ones invited to the annual Wisconsin Indian Head Country’s Governor’s Fishing Opener, but you can still reel in an open invite to another event on Friday, April 30, in Hayward. More on that later.

The annual Governors Fishing Opener, hosted by the Hayward Lakes Visitor & Convention Bureau, is held during the opening weekend of the Wisconsin hook and line fishing season. The fishing will happen from Friday through Sunday.

Governor Tony Evers will be attending the 55th annual opener this year, fishing on the Chippewa Flowage. The Chippewa Flowage was created in 1923 after damming a portion of the Chippewa River. The flowage features over 15,000 acres of water with more than 140 islands.

The Governor’s Opener rotates to different communities each year but remains in what’s called the Indian Head area of Wisconsin, largely the northwest corner of the state. It serves to highlight the tremendous fishing and vacation opportunities of that region.

The Fishing & Outdoor Expo on that Friday is free to the public. This expo will take place at the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame complex from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Scheduled are vendors, free tours of the museum, a free fish fry to the first 200 people, along with a casting skills challenge course, Birds of Prey (possible showing of owls, hawks or eagles), live music, and more.

The Hall of Fame is conveniently located within the city at 10360 Hall of Fame Drive. Look for the 143-foot muskie sculpture on the grounds.

Contributing writer Dean S. Acheson is a Wisconsin native with a long career in newspaper and magazine writing and editing. He considers himself semi-retired and enjoys fishing, scuba diving, snowmobiling, photography, and, of course, travel. “I’ve been blessed with traveling throughout Wisconsin and the UP, seeing the diverse communities, taking in the festivals, chatting with the locals, and hiking the trails.”