Updated: Trolling for a Trophy on Lake Minnetonka

Cold.

Wet.

Windy.

Yet Lake Minnetonka was humming with activity well before Saturday's 5:49 a.m. sunrise.

Anglers anxious to get an early start on their days began taking to the water shortly after the 2011 fishing season began at the stroke of midnight, and reports from throughout the lake indicate a steady, albeit unpredictable bite. Many boats reported catching large numbers of bass, which put up nice fights but were all thrown back because they are not yet in season.

Crappies were also common in livewells at most Lake Minnetonka docks and boat ramps. Some lived in the 12-14 inch neighborhood.

Brothers Colten and Troy Edmond went home on Sunday with a pair of nice northern pike that will easily make several meals each.

"We didn't catch any walleye, but we got these," Colten said. "We did alright."

Emily Fabio is the manager of Howard's Point Marina. By Saturday afternoon she had already heard several success stories of boats returning from waters near her marina.

"We had a 26-inch walleye, which is fabulous—someone just came in with that story," Fabio said. "Things are moving out there. It's not 100 percent, but it's the fishing opner so you can't be too upset."

Brad Adams from St. Louis Park spent most of Sunday afternoon on Lake Minnetonka. He returned to shore without a single fish but said there was no other way he would have rather spent his afternoon.

"It was a great day to just be out there," Adams said.

Winds on both Saturday and Sunday kicked up a walleye chop that tossed boats crossing open water and kept most outings to a few hours.

The annual May fishing opener traditionally sees some of the highest boat traffic of the season. Despite cool weather and rough water, thousands of boats and their fishing parties converged on Lake Minnetonka this weekend.