Meet the Locals: Ross Hagemeister
Ross Hagemeister is a full-time fishing guide in Otter Tail County. Although guiding can be a very demanding job, Ross says “it’s very rewarding when I finish up with my guests and they tell me that it made their vacation.” When asked what makes Otter Tail County special for his job, Ross says it’s nice that he gets to live where people vacation and that he doesn’t know why anyone would go anywhere else. He notes that the county is “phenomenal” for fishing resources, with 1,100 fishable lakes and 134 public lake accesses.
State officials and fishing enthusiasts will soon find that out firsthand. In 2020, Otter Tail Lakes Country will host the 73rd annual Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener. Held each May at a different lake community in the state, the event serves as an iconic kick-off celebration for the summer vacation season.
Lakes and fishing aren’t the only draws for Ross and his family. He notes that there are “some quaint towns in the county that are just so peaceful and friendly.” Ross and his family enjoy the natural resources of the county, and often visit Glendalough and Maplewood State Parks, where they picnic, fish, collect maple syrup, swim, and enjoy the beaches and trails. Ross says “it’s just kind of nonstop. We never run out of things to do in Otter Tail County!”