WHITE BEAR LAKE, Minn. (AP) — Civic boosters in White Bear Lake are preparing for a first.

For the first time since the tradition began 60 years ago, the Governor's Fishing Opener will be held in the Twin Cities metropolitan area — on White Bear Lake.
The event is expected to bring White Bear Lake an estimated $600,000 worth of publicity.

Civic leaders say they'll spend the next year preparing the city for the statewide stage.

At the 2008 Governor's Fishing Opener at Breezy Point last weekend, Gov. Tim Pawlenty kept up his string of catching at least one fish each time.

Bill Foussard, chairman of Explore White Bear, vows the governor will catch a fish on White Bear Lake, too.

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