RICE LAKE, Wis. (WJMC) — Barron County will be under the spotlight next weekend, with the annual fishing opener, May 2nd and 3rd.
Rice Lake is host to the Wisconsin Governor’s Fishing Opener next week. The public is invited to experience the local community with tours and fishing activities for the entire family. Dave Armstrong, Barron County Economic Development, gives a preview.
“Friday we’ve got tours going on. Anybody can participate in them. Tour of Stout’s Island, tour of Henry Repeating Arms, and then a tour of Pioneer Village Museum,” Armstrong said. “And then Saturday we’ve got the opener. Also with the opener we’ve got Family Fishing Day down at Veteran’s Park in Rice Lake. It goes from 10 a.m. til 2 p.m. They’ve got a bunch of booths set up. All kinds of stuff for kids, so bring the kids down, put a line in the water.”
And if fishing isn’t your thing, you’re invited to explore other aspects of Barron County, from the casino to an escape room, mini golf to shopping, other lakes and streams, and much more.
Armstrong says the event celebrates the fishing opener, but also an emphasis on tourism. In 2024 Barron County had $186 million in economic impact from tourism.
For more information, go online to www.northwestwisconsin.com.