FREDENBURG, Minn. –In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, the fishing opener is like an unofficial holiday for Minnesotans.

“It’s more than just a date on the calendar. It’s a tradition. It’s really kind of the kickoff to summer, it’s an essential part of being a Minnesotan,” Emily Manning, Fredenberg Minno-ette Inc. Store Manger said.

Across the state, boaters hit the water looking for some of Minnesota’s most popular fish including walleye, bass, and northern pike. But first, they hit the bait and tackle stores, including the Fredenburg Minno-ette just north of Duluth.

“I know it was good for our store, as well as all the bars and resorts around here. It’s a huge boost after a long winter for this area,” Manning said.

At the Minno-ette, live bait and lures were the hot ticket items. The shop was also stocked up with snacks, rods, nets and gas.

“We are a sporting goods store, a bait store, gas, general. We kind of have a little bit of everything, since we’re, located on the outskirts of town,” Manning said.

Anglers got an early morning start on Saturday as many lined up at four in the morning to pick up some last minute items, and it sounds like it was a successful opening weekend out there on the water.

“Sounds like people were doing really well. Some of the people that got here right at 4am actually came back around 9 because they had gone through all their bait. They were killing them out on Fish Lake for walleye, from what I’ve heard,” Manning said.

With the warm temps this year, anglers were ready to get their gear and bait and reel in big one.

“They’re always crazy busy for us. Thankfully, there was no, you know, horrible rain or wind or anything like that. So it’s, it’s been pretty on par with past seasons,” Manning said.

With Fredenburg being such a tight knit community, many of the opening day anglers make their stop at the Minno-ette an annual thing.

“This time of year, we get to see a lot of familiar faces, like the snow bird people who are coming back up to their cabins. And that’s always nice to just kind of rekindle that connection as well,” Manning said.

With the opener in the books, the season ahead looks to promise many early mornings and big catches.