NEW STATE RECORD!!!

[CraigP83]

Eelpout 




Bemidji Man Snags 19.5-pounder on Lake of the Woods

(WDAZ-TV) - A Bemidji man has bragging rights after a day of fishing on Lake of the Woods.
By: Meagan Millage, WDAZ

Aaron Guthrie caught a 19.54 pound Burbot, often referred to as an eelpout fish. Guthrie caught the fish in 34 feet of water near Long Point.


"It's a once-in-a-lifetime 'pout," Guthrie said.


The previous state record eelpout was 19 pounds, 3 ounces and was also caught on Lake of the Woods. The slimy fish has a tendency to wrap itself around an object like a snake would.


Guthrie has begun the certification process to be the new state record holder.

[WLShafor]

Fooking BIG fish!!!

[Swede]

Awesome fish - I still remember my first one on Lake Mille Lacs wrapping its tail around my wrist - creepy feeling I must say!!

[iceman]

Some good eating rite there ! 

[Mike Cork]

Researching the words associated with this fish it's very interesting

Sounds like a blast to catch and apparently it's very good eating too.

[Ron Fogelson]

Being from MN I'd say we could go head to head with the Lock Jaw boys as far as eating most anything 

There is a big Eelpout celebration back home in Ivanhoe every year....... Never did get into it as a kid but my family posts pics and story's on out family page every year. 

That's a big old fish,,,,, I cooked a 5lbs brisket for new years eve and just holding it over the sink it just hit me this would be a huge bass 

[CraigP83]

Fogy, they have a HUGE eelpout festival every year in Walker on Leech Lake. I've never been there but I've seen pics. It's just one giant party, Im not even sure half the people fish.

Many people remove the backstraps from the eelpout and boil them in 7-UP, dipped in butter it's supposed to taste like a poor-man's lobster.

[Mike Cork]

Not giving up recipes but Google kept saying that "poor man's lobster"

I bet it's fun to catch

[Ron Fogelson]

My Dad's brother Uncle Billy and his wife live in Ivanhoe, Dorothy has said it's like lobster but I've never heard about them boiling it in 7up now I'll have to ask them about it. 

[Ron Fogelson]

Don't forget about all the lutefisk - [pronounced lʉːtfesk] festivals up there 

I've tried it and will not do that shit again anytime soon, heck I don't even want to be around the smell of that stuff 

[CraigP83]

I'm not brave enough to try lutefisk. 

[iceman]

I'll take pout over lutefisk any day of the week !

[Donald Garner]

Thats a big darn fish.  We used to catch (Not that big) them in Alaska in the Chena River there on Ft. Wainwright / Fairbanks.  They taste great deep fried with hush puppies and cole slaw too 

[laketrash]

My wife is from northern Illinois. We were at her folks and the family was enjoying? pickled herring. I'll try anything, ONCE.  Hay I wonder if I could soak my Nutech jigs in that stuf?

[CraigP83]

I LOVE pickled herring on a club cracker! We usually only get it around the holidays though. Must be a Swedish/Norwegian thing. Infact my girlfriend's grandfather makes some wonderful pickled northern. I also like pickled eggs, have tried pickled turkey gizzards. But Im not brave enough for picked pigs feet.

Don't you guys have picked food down south?

[laketrash]

Pickled pigs feet. I think that is a southern thing.

[MommaWrench]

I personally LOVE pickled eggs!   My dad likes pig's feet and pig's ears.   I can't stomach those tho. Lol.