The countdown to casting lines in Wisconsin is over!

Saturday marked the start of Wisconsin’s fishing season and the 55th annual Governor's Fishing Opener.

Last year, the opener was cancelled as a result of the pandemic, but this year, the tradition returned.

Harold and Jan Treland, owners of Treeland Resorts have hosted it many times. They say it has been fun to see a number of governors come and go.

“It’s a lot of fun. The different personalities and different takes on fishing and the outdoors,” Harold Treland said.

This year, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers tried his luck in the open water.

“It’s a beautiful day, beautiful resort and I'm really proud to be here,” Evers said. “Hopefully I can get a walleye, but we'll see.”

In some ways, the opener brought Evers full circle—both because he used to visit Hayward as State Superintendent and because it signals positive signs of life post-pandemic.

“It's been a long, long, long year and this pandemic has been really hard on the tourism industry like these folks here, so it's really great to be back outside having fun,” Evers said.

Throughout the day Saturday, many cast their lines—reeling in catches and good memories.

“Everybody's boats are coming out of storage. You get young kids out there, you get multi generations that just go out and cast a few lines and try to catch some fish,” Tatum Treland, owner of Treeland Resorts said.

To see the original report and read related articles, follow this link to the WDIO-TV website.  https://www.wdio.com/superior-wisconsin-news/governor-tony-evers-attends-55th-annual-governors-fishi...