State Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, left, and Gov. Tim Walz fish on Cross Lake during the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener on May 10, 2025.
Events culminated in the governor launching from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cross Lake Recreation Area, along with all four Minnesota Legislature leaders from both parties.
CROSSLAKE — Gov. Tim Walz was in Crosslake over the weekend, May 9-10, as part of the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener.
Explore Minnesota hosts the fishing opener event in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources as a kickoff to the state’s open-water fishing season. A series of events culminated in the governor launching from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cross Lake Recreation Area, along with all four leaders of the Minnesota Legislature from both parties.
Before the launch, Walz and other speakers took to the stage to extoll the virtues of the city of Crosslake, along with tourism and the fishing industry in the state of Minnesota.
Lorie Shaull
/
KAXE
Crosslake Mayor Jackson Purfeerst speaks at the launch ceremony for the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.
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"Crosslake is a beautiful community," said Crosslake Mayor Jackson Purfeerst. "We’re glad to welcome anglers from all over the state of Minnesota. ... We're very glad we could showcase our community for the Governor's Fishing Opener."
Walz highlighted investments in state fisheries and outdoors protections, which he says is one area where legislators often find consensus.
"This [fishing] is a recreational activity, but maintaining these fisheries and outdoor activities is an economic driver in Minnesota," Walz said. "We are the fourth largest fishing state and our outdoor activities generate almost $14 billion in activity.
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
Gov. Tim Walz speaks at the launch ceremony at the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.
"And that's all the businesses associated: whether you're selling pontoons, servicing them, whether you're putting the docks in, whether you have a family lodge — which we visited — or all of the small businesses where you can spend money, it keeps us going."
Not everyone was there to welcome the governor. Some were there to protest. A large group gathered near the entrance of the rec area, waving Trump flags and the retired Minnesota state flag, including Republican state Rep. Ben Davis.
Lorie Shaull
/
KAXE
Protesters gather near the roundabout before the Governor's Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.
Others lined the docks or met the governor on the water in a boat parade, using a megaphone to shout various phrases toward the governor's boat while he fished.
While in town, Walz met with a group of nine area mayors in a roundtable discussion at the request of Purfeerst. Walz described the meeting as fantastic and said it might become a more regular meeting.
"I think the biggest thing was, is, the understanding that the state needs to be partners with them, the state needs to make sure that things like property taxes and others are being addressed accordingly, and it was a really good conversation," Walz told KAXE.
1 of 19 — Governor Tim Walz holds a northern pike after catching it on Cross Lake during the Governor's Fishing Opener on May 10, 2025.jpg
Governor Tim Walz holds a northern pike after catching it on Cross Lake during the Governor's Fishing Opener on May 10, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
2 of 19 — 02 Governor Tim Walz catches a northern pike on Cross Lake on May 10, 2025.jpg
Governor Tim Walz catches a northern pike during the Governor's Fishing Opener on Cross Lake on May 10, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
3 of 19 — An electric outboard moter powers Governor Tim Walz's pontoon on Cross Lake at the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener on May 10, 2025.jpg
An electric outboard motor powers Governor Tim Walz's pontoon on Cross Lake during the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener on May 10, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
4 of 19 — Governor Tim Walz at the Shore Lunch during the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.jpg
Governor Tim Walz at the Shore Lunch during the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
5 of 19 — A plate of food at the Shore Lunch includes a wild rice stuffed walley at the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.jpg
A plate of food at the Shore Lunch includes wild rice stuffed walleye at the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
6 of 19 — Supports of Governor Tim Walz gather near the round about before the Governor's Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.jpg
Supporters of Governor Tim Walz gather near the roundabout before the Governor's Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
7 of 19 — Supports and protesters of Governor Tim Walz gather near the round about before the Governor's Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.jpg
Supports and protesters of Governor Tim Walz gather near the roundabout before the Governor's Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
8 of 19 — DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, Governor Tim Walz and DNR Conservation Officer Lucas Belgard at the launch ceremony for the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.jpg
DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen, Governor Tim Walz and DNR Conservation Officer Lucas Belgard at the launch ceremony for the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
9 of 19 — DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen speaks at the launch ceremony for the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.jpg
DNR Commissioner Sarah Strommen speaks at the launch ceremony for the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
10 of 19 — A person holds a Welcome Gov. Tim at the launch ceremony for the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.jpg
A person holds a "Welcome Gov. Tim" sign at the launch ceremony for the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
11 of 19 — Governor Tim Walz at the launch ceremony for the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.jpg
Governor Tim Walz with Lauren Bennett McGinty, executive director of Explore Minnesota Tourism, at the launch ceremony for the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
12 of 19 — Governor Tim Walz speaks at the launch ceremony in at the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.jpg
Governor Tim Walz speaks at the launch ceremony for the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
13 of 19 — Governor Tim Walz walks on the dock to head out fishing on Cross Lake during the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.jpg
Governor Tim Walz walks on the dock to head out fishing on Cross Lake during the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener in Crosslake on May 10, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
14 of 19 — Governor Tim Walz cast a line on Cross Lake during the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener on May 10, 2025.jpg
Governor Tim Walz casts a line on Cross Lake during the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener on May 10, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
15 of 19 — Governor Tim Walz with Speaker Emerita of the Minnesota House, Melissa Hortman, and current Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Lisa Demuth, and fishes on Cross Lake during the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener on May 10, 2025.jpg
Governor Tim Walz with Speaker Emerita of the Minnesota House, Melissa Hortman, and current Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Lisa Demuth, fishe on Cross Lake during the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener on May 10, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
16 of 19 — Governor Tim Walz shares a laugh while fishing on Cross Lake during the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener on May 10, 2025.jpg
Governor Tim Walz shares a laugh while fishing on Cross Lake during the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener on May 10, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
17 of 19 — Trump supporters and security on Cross Lake during the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener on May 10, 2025.jpg
Trump supporters and security on Cross Lake during the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener on May 10, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
18 of 19 — Governor Tim Walz catches a northern pike on Cross Lake on May 10, 2025.jpg
Governor Tim Walz catches a northern pike on Cross Lake on May 10, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
19 of 19 — 02 Governor Tim Walz fishes on Cross Lake during the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener on May 10, 2025.jpg
Governor Tim Walz fishes on Cross Lake during the 77th Governor’s Fishing Opener on May 10, 2025.
Lorie Shaull / KAXE
Purfeerst said the meeting was a good opportunity to express concerns to Walz surrounding the budget surplus and looming deficit.
"Do I think maybe they fell on maybe some deaf ears? Possibly," Purfeerst said before leaving on a boat to fish. "But it was very nice that he actually came to the table to meet."
No walleyes for the governor, but he reeled in three northern pike.
Lorie Shaull
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KAXE
Gov. Tim Walz releases a northern after catching it on Cross Lake during the Governor's Fishing Opener on May 10, 2025, while protesters stand on shore in the background.
Chelsey Perkins became the News Director in early 2023 and was tasked with building a new local newsroom at the station. She is based in Brainerd and leads a team of two reporters covering communities across Northern Minnesota from the KAXE studio in Grand Rapids and the KBXE studio in Bemidji.
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