Google "Mille Lacs," and you'll find article after article about walleye fishing and its role in the future of the area, particularly as it relates to tourism. As state tourism director, my response is, "Why don't we talk about all the ways to #DoTheLake around Mille Lacs this summer?"
Yes, the walleye is the state fish, and Minnesota is widely known for its world-class fishing opportunities. But we are so much more than that. Our bike trails are considered second-best in the country. Our city park systems are No. 1. Our golf courses are among the best in the U.S.
And yes, we offer great fishing in our thousands of lakes and plentiful rivers and streams. Not just for walleye, but for bass, trout, panfish, northerns, and 150 other species. For people of all ages and all different backgrounds, fishing is just plain fun.
For Mille Lacs in particular, fishing is also big business. For resorts, restaurants, launches and bait shops, tourists coming to Mille Lacs to fish have always been their bread and butter. And it's true that some of those tourists have stopped coming.
But they shouldn't. Because Mille Lacs is so much more than a fish. It's five charming small towns and a welcoming community. It's two beautiful state parks and hundreds of miles of trails. It's a haven for biking, hiking, horseback riding, ATVing, paddling and swimming.
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And there are still plenty of fish to catch. In fact, Mille Lacs is considered one of the top 10 bass lakes in the country, and will host the 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship this fall. There's muskie, perch, northern pike and crappie, too. And you can still fish for walleye-in a way that will protect the future of the lake for generations to come.
In reality, changing the perception of Mille Lacs as "just a walleye lake" will take time. The area's many businesses that depend on tourism can't wait that long. That's why Explore Minnesota supports all efforts to help Mille Lacs evolve its reputation through expanded marketing and public relations.
You can help, too, by continuing to support the hotels, the stores, the cafes and the outfitters that rely on the lake for their livelihoods. So make plans to #DoTheLake this summer. You'll be glad you did.
John Edman is director of Explore Minnesota.
