Fishing licenses selling fast as walleye season nears

Local bait shops are receiving a boom

Connection.

Thousands of anglers across minnesota are gearing up for the kickoff of walleye fishing season.

Casting a line is becoming more and more popular in these uncertain times.

Kimt news three's zach gilleland reports.

Xxx "outside of wild goose sports in rochester, business is booming.

With the minnesota fishing opener this weekend, people are flocking to get out of their homes.... and out to the pond."

Owner ralph hettig has seen his business pick up during the covi?19 pandemic.

During governor tim walz's stay at home order, many are looking for ways to get out of the house.

"today is normally not a real busy day but we've had quite a few people in this morning buying bait, nightcrawlers, fishing licenses, just something to get out of the house."

According to the minnesota department of natural resources?

Fishing license sales are up fort?five percent compared to last year.

"we go through an awful lot of them."

They say the better weather is a factor, as well as people just wanting to get out of the house.

Caileen carney is a newbie angler, and bought her license in anticipation of the season.

"had our license for about a week.

Yesterday was our first day out so it was like where can we go just to get out and just be outside with minnesota's walleye and northern pike fishing opener this weekend, hettig expects to stay busy.

"even last week we were real busy, we ran out of certain amount of bait, we had to go get some, i expect to be very busy on friday afternoon."

And reeling in a big one is a great way to pass the time while staying safe.

"with fishing you can practice the social distancing... it's just a very according to the minnesota ??r, last year's license sales were the lowest