After a year off because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nisswa Chamber of Commerce got back out on the water for the Saturday, May 15, walleye and northern pike fishing opener to offer anglers on Gull Lake free coffee and doughnuts.
Called the Welcome Wannigan, the tradition dates back more than 60 years. This year's crew included Captain Jay Chaney, owner of Boats and Beyond Rentals who provided and piloted the pontoon boat; Nisswa Citizen of the Year Lee Seipp; Miss Nisswa Sam Jackson; Little Miss Nisswa Lucy Smith; Nisswa Chamber President Pam Dorion; Kalie Jay, with the chamber; and Gina Meixner, with Positive Realty.
Adirondack Coffee provided the coffee and Schaefer's Foods provided the doughnuts.
Find a KLICK photo gallery of anglers on Gull receiving coffee and doughnuts at http://pineandlakes.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=2279253&CategoryID=81011
1/2: Little Miss Nisswa Lucy Smith, a Nisswa Elementary School second-grader, hands a free doughnut to an angler from a Nisswa Chamber-sponsored pontoon boat Saturday, May 15, 2021, on Gull Lake. Nancy Vogt / Echo Journal
2/2: This lucky angler was all smiles after landing a northern Saturday morning, May 15, 2021, on Gull Lake during the walleye/northern pike fishing opener. He had his photo taken with the big fish before releasing it back into the water. Nancy Vogt / Echo Journal