A pre-dawn start paid off for Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who has reeled in a 15-inch Northern during the Minnesota fishing opener.

Pawlenty spokesman Alex Carey said the governor was on White Bear Lake at 3:30 a.m. Saturday and caught the 1.5 pound fish around 7:30 a.m.

Pawlenty and first lady Mary Pawlenty caught at least four fish as of late Saturday morning.

No word yet on the success of Lieutenant Gov. Carol Molnau, who joined the governor at his annual opening day fishing event.

Pawlenty has a string of catching at least one fish at each Governor’s Fishing Opener.

It’s the first time in the 61-year history of the Governor’s Fishing Opener that the event has been held on a metro lake.