Regardless of Saturday’s weather or the status of the walleye spawn, many anglers will head out to area lakes and rivers to take part in the tradition known as Minnesota’s walleye fishing opener.

But one thing for sure, northern Minnesota’s waters will be cold — cold enough to kill you if you are in it long enough.

We offer a few reminders that even the most seasoned and skilled walleye anglers and boaters should heed:

• Hypothermia, or below normal body temperature, is an insidious killer that is involved in many of Minnesota’s boating deaths each year. Immersion in cold water less than 70 degrees causes the body to lose heat faster than it can produce, decreasing the body’s core temperature. This decrease can cause symptoms ranging from continual shivering, poor coordination, and numb hands and feet in moderate cases to hallucinations and eventual death in most extreme situations. Cold water robs body heat 25 times faster than air of the same temperature If you capsize or fall out of your boat, immediately attempt to reboard your craft.

• Wearing your life jacket, or personal flotation device, will help protect you from hypothermia in several ways. It will keep you warm while in the boat. And if you end up in the water, it will keep you afloat, even if you become unconscious due to hypothermia, and will help to insulate you from heat loss.

• Keep an eye on the weather. Obtain up-to-date weather information from a marine band radio, AM radio, or by simply watching the sky. If you see or hear about bad weather coming. Get off the water. No fish is worth your life or the lives of your family and friends.

• Booze and boats can be a deadly mix. Alcohol and drugs are involved in about one third of all boating fatalities. According to the Beltrami Sheriff’s Office, a U.S. Coast Guard study showed that a boater who was legally intoxicated was 10 times more likely to become involved in a fatal accident than one who was sober. Alcohol also affects vital body functions such as balance, coordination, vision and judgment. Combining the effects of cold water and alcohol can speed the onset of hypothermia, causing even good swimmers to drown in minutes — often within a few yards of safety.

The fishing opener is a great way to kick off the fishing season. Taking a few safety precautions can make it one of memories you will want to keep for years to come.