Cook County, May 7, 2020 – Fishing opener is just two days away and Cook County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) staff is seeing an uptick in traffic throughout the county.
“We understand that folks want to take part in fishing opener,” said EOC Incident Co-Commander Mike Keyport. “Governor Walz has encouraged residents to take part in outdoor recreational activities, and fishing is no exception. We just ask that people do so responsibly.”
The state’s recommendations for fishing include staying as close to home as possible, fishing only with family members and avoiding group gatherings. Social distancing is a given.
Additionally, the EOC and Visit Cook County offer the following advice for individuals who choose to travel during the Stay at Home order: please travel prepared.
“We encourage visitors to bring the food and other necessities they will need for their stay,” said Keyport. “Our grocery stores and liquor stores offer curbside pickup only, and our hardware stores and gas stations are working to keep up with local demand. Additionally, some of our eating establishments are not open at all, while others are open only for takeout or delivery in keeping with Governor Walz’ executive orders.”
For those staying in a lodging facility or rental, Keyport advised sanitizing high-touch areas such as doorknobs and light switches regularly.
“Many of our lodging facilities have chosen to limit public access in response to the Stay at Home order,” Keyport said. “With campgrounds still closed, we understand that some individuals may choose to stay in rental cabins. If you do, please adhere to the social distancing and sanitation guidelines recommended by the state of Minnesota. Doing so will help us all.”
Additional recommendations are provided in Visit Cook County’s Visitor Pledge – A Message for Our Visitors.
