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The ice is out on most lakes across the state, and anglers have prepared their gear and made their plans for Saturday's Minnesota fishing opener.

It's the annual start of the season for catching walleye, northern pike and several other species across the state. Among the anglers who will be out on a lake for the opener is Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, who will be taking part in the 71st annual Governor's Fishing Opener 

Ahead of the opener, here's a collection of fishing trivia, history and facts about fishing in Minnesota. But before you read on, why not test your prior knowledge with 


Approximate number of licensed anglers in Minnesota


Approximate number of people expected to fish on Saturday's opener


Number of lakes in Minnesota; about 4,500 of those are considered fishing lakes


Miles of fishable rivers and streams; about 3,800 miles of those are trout streams


Species of fish found in Minnesota waters

What are the most sought-after fish in Minnesota?


A 2011 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey showed that walleyes top the list, followed by northern pike and muskies, then panfish, bass, crappies and trout.

Which communities have hosted the Minnesota Governor's Fishing Opener?

The Minnesota Historical Society has compiled a list of past Minnesota Governor's Fishing Openers dating back to 1948. Here are the stops made by Dayton and his two most-recent predecessors (


2010: Kabetogama / Voyaguers National Park, Lake Kabetogama

The first 10 governor's fishing openers were held on Mille Lacs Lake; the event has returned there three other times, most recently in 1991.

The last time a governor was unable to attend an official opener? Wendell Anderson in 1975

Minnesota fishing opener weather statistics

24 degrees at International Falls (1996 and 2004)

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Ahead of the fishing opener, here's a collection of fishing trivia, history and facts about fishing in Minnesota -- along with a quiz to test your angler knowledge.

Ben Garvin | St. Paul Pioneer Press via AP 2009

Paul Middlestaedt for MPR News

Governor Dayton (R) shows off a 17.5-inch smallmouth bass.

2018 Minnesota fishing opener: trivia, history -- and a test of your angling knowledge

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