A tradition in Minnesota since 1948, the governor's fishing opener kicks off Minnesota's summer tourism season and promotes the development of the state's recreation industry. For 2026, Stillwater has been selected to host. The event is held annually and aims to showcase the natural beauty, diversity of fish species, and hospitality of the region. Most of the event is by invite only, and will be contained to roughly 75 people. The community celebration is the portion where additional attendees may join, and we expect about 200 max, based on other communities' experiences.

Visit Discover Stillwater for more information.