Good Weather, Bad Fishing For Gov. Mark Dayton

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The old saying goes, "A bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work."

But for Gov. Mark Dayton, his day of fishing wasn't quite as successful as his days at the state capitol earlier this week.

Despite heading out at midnight on Lake Waconia, Dayton did not catch a walleye on the state's fishing opener. He did catch one bluegill. Dayton was quick to blame his own abilities, or lack thereof.

"Can't fault the guide, can't fault the lake, just fault the fisherman," Dayton said after he ended his fishing day on the shore of Lake Waconia. "We had a lot of fun. (It was a) beautiful lake, beautiful day. Just fun to be out there."

The lake is just west of the Twin Cities and served as the host for the annual governor's fishing opener.

While maybe not ideal for fishing, conditions were perfect for a peaceful day on the lake.

"I've been to openers my entire life, and I've never seen weather like this," said Travis Frank, who served as Gov. Dayton's fishing guide Saturday. "Maybe that's why the fish weren't biting.  They wanted it to snow."

Gov. Dayton and Frank talk about their day fishing on Lake Waconia.