ABSTRACT
In early May 2009, the Minnesota legislature was embroiled in controversy over the largest budget deficit—$4.6 billion—in the states 151-year history In Minnesota, however, opening day for walleye season is big news, and for a day or two, news of fishing overshadowed the financial crisis. Local television stations featured extensive coverage of the governor’s choice of fishing locations, reporting that for the first time in history, a governor chose to open the season in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The reports also noted that water levels in suburban White Bear Lake, the governor’s choice, were near record low levels because of a seasonal drought. In news reports, Governor Tim Pawlenty explicidy linked recreational use of the state’s water resources to the health of the Minnesota economy: ‘“Tourism in Minnesota is an enormous part of our economy,’ the Republican governor said. … ‘It’s licenses and fuel and boats, tackle and equipment, restaurants and lodging.’” (Northland Outdoors 2009).
