The swollen Fish Hook River dam in Park Rapids was the place to be during the opener - it was coughing up walleyes like crazy.
But the anglers also started early, come hell and high water.
"There were about 30 of us here at midnight," said Jason Neumayer. "I caught a walleye and a northern."
By Saturday morning the riverbanks were lined with anglers, hoping to repeat Matthew Rog's luck.
Rog, from New Brighton, held up a string of walleyes grinning.
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"My dad told me this was a good spot where I could get my limit," he acknowledged.
"It's been pretty slow," said Debbie Lempola, co-owner of Delaney's Sports Center in Park Rapids.
Winds, cold temperatures and a persistent rain compounded the misery that many opening week-ends seem to offer.
Sunday's weather is supposed to be better with temps around 60 and sunny,
Monday, when the anglers have given up and gone home for the weekend, will be beautiful, 65 degrees and sunny.
Meanwhile local merchants reported brisk sales of hooded sweatshirts, gloves and rain boots.
And in Heartland Park, lots of geocachers showed up to hunt for hidden treasure.
One way or another, visitors to Park Rapids were taking home a prize.
