TOWER, Minn. (AP) &045; Hand-numbing temperatures and wind-driven rain failed to dampen spirits Saturday as Gov. Tim Pawlenty and his entourage hauled in walleye after walleye from Lake Vermilion on opening day of Minnesota’s fishing season.

Pawlenty and his wife, Mary, headed out with 25-year veteran guide Doug Knoer at 7:15 a.m. Just 27 minutes later, there was &uot;a quick hit on the line&uot; and the governor landed his first walleye, said aide Brian McClung.

During five hours of fishing before coming in for a shore lunch of fried fish at Gruben’s Marina, Pawlenty caught and released eight walleyes and Mary Pawlenty brought in five. They were fishing in about 30 feet of water, and Pawlenty used a Lindy rig about two-thirds of the time, bouncing it along the lake bottom.

Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau, fishing with veteran guide Cliff Wagenbach in another boat, was the administration’s top angler, bringing in nine walleyes during the morning outing. One of the fish Molnau caught was 16.5 inches, Wagenbach said.

&uot;It was fun. She’s a good fisherman,&uot; Wagenbach said of Molnau. &uot;It was windier than heck and the fish were biting in about 29 to 42 feet of water.&uot;

Big fish honors went to 8-year-old Frankie Tschida of Eveleth, a Boy Scout who landed a 39-inch muskie. The lunker had to be released, because the muskie season doesn’t open until the first Saturday in June.

Another angler landed a 20.5-inch smallmouth bass, also released to await another angler after the bass season opens.

Pawlenty said the wet, windy weather didn’t spoil the party.

&uot;We dressed for the weather,&uot; Pawlenty said. &uot;The fish were biting so how can you complain about catching eight walleyes. When you’re catching walleyes it’s a good day.&uot;

The Pawlentys bundled up in fleece, winter coats and snowmobile pants to ward off temperatures that hovered in the 40s.