Fishing

Eelpout Festival

By Outdoor Life Team

Updated on Apr 20, 2021 4:37 AM EDT

2 minute read

httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0695.jpg
Style came in all colors at Eelpout Festival in Leech Lake Minnesota.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0731.jpg
These anglers went skunked on eelpout, but they did manage to land one perch.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0747.jpg
This tournament is about more than just fishing.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0758.jpg
Meet the beauties and the Eelpout beast.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0760.jpg
This festivalgoer's hat was imported from Europe. The women however, were from Minnesota.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0767.jpg
These three Eelpout veterans set up on prime Leech Lake real estate.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0785.jpg
Serious Eelpouters know that beads, beards and beer are a must.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0789.jpg
The Eelpout Festival brings thousands of people every year.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0791.jpg
With the encouragement of onlookers, these festivalgoers took a dip.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0800.jpg
Festival officials knew how to keep the crowd warm.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0801.jpg
Clothes, for the most part, are optional.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0808.jpg
Two lucky Minnesotans meet members of the bikini ice fishing team.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0822.jpg
At least the guy with the orange hat is going to keep his ears warm.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0827.jpg
USA! USA! USA!
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0830.jpg
Anglers from across the country brought ice houses, vans and campers to Leech Lake.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0851.jpg
The eelpout is perhaps one of Minnesota's ugliest fish species.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0854.jpg
So that's what an eelpout looks like, eh?
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0855.jpg
The notorious eelpout on display here at the weigh in station.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0858.jpg
A helicopter at an ice fishing festival? Why not?
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0873.jpg
This engineer built a jigging system out of a hockey stick, a fishing reel, and a battery. However, the rig did not help him catch any fish.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0880.jpg
This angler was the only one from his group to catch an eelpout. He was also the only one in his group to wear a pink necklace.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0888.jpg
These fellas wanted to get a better view of the lake.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0892.jpg
While it is unknown if this festivalgoer caught any fish, it is almost guaranteed that was able to catch a healthy dose of frostbite.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0898.jpg
Meet the queens of Eelpout.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0914.jpg
Hitchhiking is a favorite pastime at Eelpout.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0931.jpg
It's just not ice fishing without a barbecue.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0941.jpg
The ice fishing bikini team put on several shows at Eelpout festival.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0946.jpg
The bikini team is made up of models who like to ice fish.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0964.jpg
Ice fishing bibs never looked better.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0966.jpg
This is perhaps the best looking fishing team ever assembled.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0973.jpg
There was plenty to smile about at Eelpout.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0975.jpg
Ice fishing got a whole lot hotter.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0976.jpg
These ladies travel to ice fishing tournaments all around Minnesota.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0980.jpg
Pink fishing poles sales tripled in sales only hours after the bikini ice fishing team's show.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0982.jpg
Everyone loves a girl who can fish.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_0992.jpg
Say hello to the hottest angler from North Dakota.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_1008.jpg
Who needs a power auger anyway?
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_1011.jpg
No one at Eelpout complained about drilling their own ice fishing holes.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_1013.jpg
The bikini team perfected the art of using an ice auger.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_1029.jpg
Having groomed hair is a must for ice fishing.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_1032.jpg
Never go out on the ice without a buddy.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_1052.jpg
Red was the hot color at Eelpout.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_1065.jpg
Fishing and bikinis? The perfect combination.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_1071.jpg
Thank you ice fishing gods, thank you.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_1093.jpg
You gotta love a girl in camo.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_1134.jpg
The sunsets on the Eelpout festival.
httpswww.outdoorlife.comsitesoutdoorlife.comfilesimport2014importImage2010photo30010DSC_1143.jpg
This was the biggest, and ugliest, fish caught at Eelpout.