Eelpout Festival facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eelpout Festival |
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Official Logo of the Eelpout Festival
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| Genre | Festival |
| Dates | February 2021 |
| Location(s) | Walker, Minnesota |
| Years active | 1979–2019, 2021– |
| Attendance | 11,000 (2012) |
| Website | http://www.eelpoutfestival.com/ |
The Eelpout Festival is a super fun yearly event in Walker, Minnesota. It's a big party that celebrates a special fish called the eelpout. This fish is also known as a burbot (its scientific name is Lota lota).
Eelpout fish live at the bottom of lakes in the area. They can be found very deep, sometimes even 300 meters down! People often say the eelpout looks like a mix between a catfish and an eel. It has a long, thin body but a wider middle section.
This festival is held on Leech Lake, which is famous for its great walleye fishing. But the Eelpout Festival helps shine a spotlight on the eelpout, a fish that sometimes gets forgotten!
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What is the Eelpout Festival?
The Eelpout Festival is an exciting winter event. It brings together thousands of people for fun activities. The festival celebrates the unique eelpout fish. It's a great way to enjoy the cold Minnesota winter.
Festival History
The very first Eelpout Festival happened in February 1979. It was held every year until 2019. The festival took a break in 2020. It started up again in 2021.
This celebration takes place during one of the coldest times of the year. Temperatures often drop well below zero degrees Fahrenheit. But that doesn't stop the fun!
Fun Activities at the Festival
The Eelpout Festival has many activities for everyone. There are lots of family-friendly events. People can enjoy ice fishing contests, where they try to catch eelpout. There are also other games and challenges on the ice. It's a great way for families to spend time together outdoors.
Where is the Festival Held?
The Eelpout Festival is usually held on Leech Lake in Walker, Minnesota. Leech Lake is a very large lake. It's the third biggest lake in Minnesota. It covers over 102,947 acres and has 195 miles of shoreline. The deepest part of the lake is about 150 feet.
In February, the average high temperature is around 25 degrees Fahrenheit. The average low is about 5 degrees Fahrenheit. It's definitely a chilly festival!
About Leech Lake Fish
Leech Lake is well known for many types of fish. Besides eelpout, you can find lots of walleye, bass, Northern pike, sunfish, and muskellunge. Eelpout are usually caught only during the winter months.
Possible Future Location
In 2017, there was talk about moving the festival. The festival organizers looked into moving the event to Lake Bemidji. This lake is about an hour northwest of Walker. An application was sent to the Beltrami County board to explore this move.
