Ugly it may be, but eelpout from lake of the woods is a recordbreaker. Measuring 33 inches long with a portly waistline of 23 78 inches has officially been been entered into minnesotas record books as the largest of its kind ever caught by hook and line, the. Monstrous eelpout have giant pie holes and voracious appetites. Like a wellstocked tackle box, the great minnesota fish book is a tribute to the diverse fish life that roams the states lakes, rivers, and streams. He and the fish are now in minnesotas record books.
The international eelpout festival is an annual gathering held in the town of walker, minnesota. Measuring 33 inches long with a portly waistline of 23 78. Japans chitetsu watanabe confirmed as the worlds oldest man living at 112 years old. Feb 14, 2014 the eelpout festival marks its 35th year this year, and in one crazy weekend, the city of walker sees its population explode from 1,500 to more than 12,000. Sep 06, 2017 mark mosby went looking for flathead catfish last month on the st. The igfa recognizes the world record burbot as caught on lake diefenbaker, saskatchewan, canada, by sean konrad. Mar 01, 2012 aaron guthrie might have set a new minnesota record fish when he reeled in 19. The text is informative with nice details about where these species hang out, where their names came from, as well as state and world size records. One for catching and keeping the biggest fish in each species based on certified weight.
The annual eelpout festival is happening now in walker, minnesota, with many of the bigger events slated later today and tomorrow. All are apt descriptions for a 19pound, 11ounce eelpout aka burbot, aka lawyer, lingcod, cusk and a host of other unbecoming nicknames caught by brent getzler of roosevelt. Likely minnesotarecord eelpout pulled from lake of the woods. Providing defining features for easy identification, descriptions of habitat, growth patterns, and behavior, as well as historical anecdotes, dickson makes a convincing case for the appreciation of all fish and their important place within minnesota s aquatic. Tim spielman when it comes to burbots, they grow em big in minnesota. The international eelpout festival is a 30 year annual event held on the frozen leech lake located in walker minnesota. May 29, 2017 since 1982, the lake on five occasions has produced a state record burbot most recently last december, when a 19pound, 10ounce fish bested the previous record 2012 by 2 ounces. New state record eelpout and its a giant outdoors unlimited. Whats the spirit of minnesotas international eelpout fest. Burbot do not have special conservation status in minnesota and are not actively managed, so fish away and enjoy another special offering from the lakes of minnesota. Lake of the woods is about to break its old record for the biggest eelpout ever officially weighed in minnesota. Burbot is only one of numerous names this coldwater species from the cod family. Mar 03, 2017 this past weekends 38th annual eelpout festival was wild, folksy, and all over the place.
According to the minneapolis star tribune, aaron guthrie, 35, of bemidji, minn. At this time, only those fish caught by hook and line are eligible for a minnesota state record. Guthries record was bested this week by a 19pound, 11ounce pout also caught on lake of the woods. Apr, 2010 the alltackle record according to nfwfhf was a 22pound 8ounce brute taken by vaughan j. The five most recent records prior to austins tullibee were golden redhorse in 2014, and the following fish in 2012. When it comes to burbots, they grow em big in minnesota. Jan 05, 2017 a 19pound, 11ounce eelpout aka burbot, aka lawyer, lingcod, cusk and a host of other unbecoming nicknames caught by brent getzler. The international eelpout festival in walker began in 1980 as a way to bring tourists to northern minnesota during the long winter months. It celebrates the eelpout or burbot, scientific name lota lota, an indigenous bottom dwelling fish that inhabits the regions lakes, in some cases being found as deep as 300m. Fish caught by bow and arrow, by net, or other means are not included in the state records. Anyone beating the state eelpout record of fourteen pounds and one ounce had a chance to win a car. The catch occurred monday, and minnesota dnr officials are probably just now receiving the application, but it appears an eelpout or burbot, or lawyer caught by roosevelts brent getzler on lake of the woods soon officially will be the new state record.
Known as the land of 10,000 lakes, it should be of no surprise that minnesotas large number of lakes is one of its main features. Numero uno in tommys book is a hot yellowglow lindy fuzzegrub jig weight ranges from. If youd like to try your hand at catching eelpout, consider visiting the town of walker, minnesota, for the upcoming 38 th annual international eelpout festival on feb. Eelpout are actually a member of the cod family and are often. A 17pound eelpout, we thought, would be well over two feet long, and he said, yes indeed. If youve ever wondered whats on the end of the line or swimming under the dock, rock, or country creek bank, tom dickson has written about the finned creaturesranging from famous to infamous to unheard ofto tell you. New state record eelpout from lake of the woods breaks. In fact, there are a whopping 11,842 lakes in the state, in addition to over 6,500 natural rivers. The world record, as far as he knows, is 17 pounds. Plus, it is hard to know which ones really stand out amongst the rest. The hope is that the species will continue to grow in numbers in idaho, which finally will have a fishing season for the unusuallooking fish after a population rebound. Besides the strong start to the winter fishing season, lake of the woods has been in the news the past couple of days for the potential new state record eelpout caught monday north of pine island. Burbot inhabit deep, cold lakes in minnesota including lake superior.
His whitefish and burbot were both caught on the bottom of the lake using shrimp. A book written in 1590 in england notes that burbot were so common that they were used to feed hogs. The 2008 dnr fishing report states that, the 2005 and 2006 year classes of walleye are large and are the primary source of nearrecord high gillnet catch rates and improved fishing quality in leech lake. Lake of the woods eelpout officially confirmed as state record.
Biggest fish caught in minnesota by species minnesota. All are apt descriptions for a 19pound, 11ounce eelpout aka burbot, aka lawyer, lingcod, cusk and a host of other unbecoming nicknames caught by brent getzler. To many, the fat, slimy eelpout is one of the ugliest fish swimming in minnesota s waters. That is how they are addressed in the minnesota fishing regulations booklet. Jan 03, 2020 thousands of minnesota anglers will be pouting over the news that their favorite wintertime fishing gettogether is off. See more ideas about minnesota, ice shanty and fishing shack. Heres what we learned about the spirit of the fest. The burbot lota lota is the only gadiform codlike freshwater fish.
Also known as burbot among other names eelpout are a freshwater codfish. This secretive fish can live up to the ripe old age of 15 and the minnesota state record is 19 lbs. Collections up close history at home minnesota history magazine mnhs press books. Measuring 33 inches long with a portly waistline of 23 78 inches, the fish has officially been entered into minnesotas record books as the largest of its kind ever caught by hook and line, the department of natural resources announced thursday. Its pretty crazy, getzler, 33, said tuesday afternoon. Worldclass eelpout fishermen are on hand at the tournament, going from fishhouse to fishhouse, apparently to offer tips and encouragement. Minnesota man lands potential state record eelpout outdoor life. Eelpout fever in northern minnesota minnesota brown. Fish book conveys the love and fascinationand in the case of eelpout, the. Minneapolis, saint paul, rochester, duluth, bloomington, plymouth, brooklyn park, saint cloud, eagan, woodbury, maple grove, coon. These fish have been and should continue to provide quality fishing in leech lake.
Youll learn about a family that makes canoes the oldfashioned way, about two chainsawing sisters that set up a bar, about ice fishing and all the strange things that get found at the bottom of a lake, and lots of interesting characters. Landing a minnesota record fish what to target, whats a. The record minnesota eelpout was caught in december 2016 on lake of the woods. Organizers of the international eelpout festival announced thursday that.
We work with leading global brands and businesses to break world records as part of. To many, the fat, slimy eelpout is one of the ugliest fish swimming in minnesotas waters. New alltackle world record burbot caught in lake diefenbaker. Once all the paperwork is complete, getzlers big eelpout will break the old record of 19 pounds, 8 ounces, set in february 2012 on lake of the woods by aaron guthrie of bemidji. The great minnesota fish book would make a beautiful coffee table book, especially for a cabins coffee table. Ugly it may be, but eelpout from lake of the woods is a. The northern hogsucker, by the way, is cuter than you may think.
Likely minnesotarecord eelpout pulled from lake of the. The great minnesota fish book pairs engaging and revealing stories about the history, habitat, and culture of more than one hundred species with strikingly lifelike depictions by worldrenowned fish illustrator joseph r. Anyone beating the state eelpout record of fourteen pounds and one. Biggest fish caught in minnesota by species minnesota fun facts. The 35yearold bemidji resident was fishing with his uncle, rollie jones, in his icehouse on lake of the woods friday night when he landed a burbot, or eelpout, that could beat the previous state record fish by two ounces. With the increased popularity of catch and release fishing and higher minimum lengths, many anglers are reluctant to harvest record weight fish. There are so many lakes in minnesota that the choices are endless. Naturally, the eelpout fishing contest is a main attraction. Eelpout sponsored by the international eelpout festival has been canceled we have had a great ride and appreciate all of you loyal pouters over the years and thank you for your support. The eelpout brent getzler caught monday set a new state record. The following is a listing of the record size fish caught in minnesota, by species.
To address this concern, dnr has created a record program for catchandrelease length for four species. Five of the last seven mn state record eelpout from lake. Yes, eelpout like big eats, but they favor slower motions. They are rarely spotted in the summer months due to their deepwater habitat, although they move to shallower waters in the winter to spawn. Five of the last seven mn state record eelpout from lake of. Eelpout festival on leech lake in walker, minnesota. The great minnesota fish book university of minnesota press. Perfect time for pout fishing milwaukee journal sentinel.
Jan 10, 2020 today, the international eelpout festival, which bresley started in 1979, brings more than 10,000 people to walker every year for a rousing good time. Choose a fish species to learn more about the record fish and angler. I knew it was a pout right away, but i didnt realize how big it was. Local history services preservation specialists directory. Aaron guthrie of bemidji holds the 19pound, 8ounce eelpout he caught in february 2012 on lake of the woods to set a new state record for the freshwater codfish species. Call it a burbot, lawyer, eelpout or just plain ugly, but minnesota has a new state record. Northern minnesotas famed eelpout festival may leave twin.
Perfect time for pout fishing change of year brings out unusual eelpout dustin carlson of duluth, minn. The minnesota dnr honors any angler who breaks a state record. No matter what you call them burbot, eelpout or lawyers the fish is one of a kind. The hope is that the species will continue to grow in numbers in idaho, which finally. Minnesota man sets record for biggest eelpout thats a.