Events consist of Pucker up to smooch a slimy, stinky fish face for luck, Dress up (or down) to jump into a freezing Minnesota lake in February, Sip an ice cold drink on a 30,000 pound ice cold bar (literally), Emerge yourself in a culture simply too unique to explain to those who “haven’t been” and watch a Minnesota town swell to 10x its size in celebration of a nasty-looking fish.
These are just a few of the time-honored traditions happening in Walker, Minnesota every third weekend in February. The Eelpout Festival, a long tradition in angling for one of the ugliest bottom-dwelling fish as well as one of "Up North" revelry, draws thousands of people every winter for what can only be described as good, clean (yet sometimes irreverent and darn cold!) fun!
Entering its 32nd year, the Annual International Eelpout Festival attracts roughly 10,000 participants and visitors to Walker, Minn. (pop. 1,500) for three days every February. The Festival is a perfect backdrop to the annual Chase the Pout Games, hosted by Chase on the lake, northern Minnesota’s premier historic resort property. The annual Chase the Pout activities provide additional revelry and events in collaboration with the time-honored Festival. The historic lakeside hotel often referred to as “The Chase” is a central meeting place for scheduled events and activities which, along with eelpout ice angling, include a 30,000 pound “Red Bull Ice Bar,” live music, the Ranger (boat) Raffle, the infamously (and insanely) colorful Walker Polar Pout Plunge and so much more!
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“If past attendance is any indication of what to expect this year, we’ll see more than 10,000 folks up here,” comments Jamie Tatge, manager of The Chase. “It amazes me that a town of 1500 people can swell to about 10 times its size for a slimy nasty fish. Yet the old legend continues to grow … If you kiss the pout, good luck is sure to follow!”
Source: Press release Eel Pout Festival Jan.17
