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A Push For An Early Minnesota Fishing Opener

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Sen. Tom Bakk (D – Cook) and Rep. David Dill (D-Crane Lake) are proposing an amendment to move up the opening weekend of the 2012 fishing season by one week.

Dill says the weather is making for perfection conditions for the change this year.

"And the walleye have moved from their spawning habitat, the rivers have slowed down already and the temperatures been incredible, so why not let people go out and fish," Dill said.

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Dill says the official Governor's Opener would remain. He said some resort owners object to the move because they are not ready.

"I'm not proposing this for resorts," Dill said. "I'm proposing this for mom and dad and for kids and for people who want to get out into the great outdoors a week early. And we have a unique opportunity. And this is only for one year because we don't know what next year will bring."

Bakk is calling it the "Mom's Amendment," because the current fishing opener is on Mother's Day.

"On a personal note, I'm not the only Minnesotan who is torn between the fishing opener and spending May 12 with my mom," Bakk said. "Of course, Mom's should be a priority, but this way we can have both."

Dill said there is a good chance the amendment will pass.

The amendment would allow fishing on May 5 instead of May 12.

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