Molnau lands walleye before Pawlenty in fishing opener

Tim and Mary Pawlenty
Gov. Tim Pawlenty, with First Lady Mary Pawlenty, caught a 17 inch walleye at 11:05 a.m. on the north end of Pelican Lake at the Governor's 60th Annual Fishing Opener.
Photo courtesy of Governor's office

Lt. Gov. Carol Molnau is apparently quite the angler.

While Governor Tim Pawlenty had a slow morning on Pelican Lake, Molnau landed a 19-inch walleye at about 8:30 a.m. Saturday.

In the past six years, Molnau and Pawlenty have had a friendly competition for first fish caught, longest fish and most fish caught on opening day. Molnau has been the unofficial winner each year - and this year looks no different.

She held the first fish high - as Pawlenty and his wife Mary were fishing only about 100 yards away. Both Pawlentys were still empty-handed.

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Of the anglers near the governor, only a few caught fish Saturday morning.

Molnau says she caught the fish in 18 feet of water using a Northland Fire-Ball jig with a spottail minnow.

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Information from: The Brainerd Daily Dispatch, http://www.brainerddispatch.com