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Biting fish, bipartisan smiles

Gov. Mark Dayton, Republican legislative leaders all smiles up north as they head out to fish. Tougher times to come at the Capitol

May 14, 2011 at 4:10PM

At 5:30 AM, with the temperatures in the high 30's and winds gusts of 10 miles per hours on Mille Lacs Lake, few boats dotted the landscape in Isle Bay. (L to R) Brian Moehnke of Rochester, MN and his cousin Scott Moehnke of Shakopee, MN braved the cold weather in Isle Bay to attempt to catch walleys in 6 feet of water. (Dml - Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton and Republican Legislative leaders were all smiles as they headed out to fish on Pokegama Lake Saturday morning.

Here's the photographic evidence from the governor's office of Dayton, Majority Leader Matt Dean, Speaker Kurt Zellers and Rep. Joe Hoppe:

(PAULSTAFFORD /The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Even better news was to come for governor and fish who like to be hooks, according to Dayton spokeswoman Andrea Mokros.

Via Twitter, she said shortly before 9 am Saturday: "Breaking: Fish! @GovMarkDayton caught (and released) a northern!"

The lawmakers and the governor may be able to share great fish tales but they don't share a vision for the state budget. When they get back to the Capitol, they'll have to deal with those differences.

Update:

Republican State Sen. Mike Parry Saturday morning issued the traditional critique of the governor's fishing opener: "What's more important....negotiating the budget or fishing?" @mikeparry tweeted.