Annual eelpout festival set Feb. 22-25

By Brainerd Dispatch on Feb 7, 2018 at 8:00 a.m.

Ladeen Schillinger of Alexandria attempts to slide the rock, an eelpout frozen in a octagonal shaped block of ice, at a past Eelpout Festival in Walker. This year's festival is scheduled Feb. 22-25. Click on the picture to see the entire image. Forum News Service

WALKER—The 39th annual International Eelpout Festival is scheduled Feb. 22-25 on Leech Lake in Walker.

"At the center of the Eelpout Festival is the long-held tradition of angling the world's only true gamefish and one of the ugliest bottom dwelling catches out there—the eelpout," organizers stated in a news release.

New this year, all activities and eelpout events will be in one location, in front of Chase on the Lake.

"Chase the Pout" events include:

• Opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. Feb. 22, with live music from The Roosters in the Chase 502 Bar and Pre-Pout Kick-Off Party in the Chase tent.

• Pout Curling at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 23 and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 24, the Chase Lake Tent.

• Fifth Annual Eelpout Beer Pong, qualifiers from 3-7 p.m. Feb. 22 and championship at 3 p.m. Feb. 23. Cost is $40 for a two-person team. More information and register at www.eelpoutbeerpong.com.

• Eelpout Rugby, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 24, on the ice in front of the Chase.

• Polar Pout Plunge, 1-3 p.m. Feb. 24, with registration at noon. Money raised benefits the Walker Area Community Center.

• Dog sled rides, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 24.

• Helicopter rides, noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 24, City Park.

• Eelpout Weigh-In: Operates daily, capped with an awards ceremony at 11 a.m. Feb. 25 in front of the Chase.

• Fourth Annual Kids Perch Jerk, noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 24.

• Eelpout Fish Fry, including real eelpout nuggets fried with Goose Antler Batter and a barbecue pig roast.

For more information on the International Eelpout Festival, go to www.eelpoutfestival.com.