Eelpout festival in walker

[springermnguy26]

So what do you guys know about the walker eelpout festival? Thinking about going for the first time this year. Any info would be appreciated!

[Northlander]

PARTY!! Come see Cheffrey and I at the Trappers landing Ice Bar. Ill be slangin beer and Pout again this year I hope,.

[The Hex]

Pure Chaos!!!! Lots of fun though.

[gardn184]

I'd give you a great description of the events....but I can't remember much of anything....that should give you a pretty good idea of what goes on there

[bk_MN_iceman]

I can honestly say that I didn't catch a fish the entire time... the minnow bucket was spilled the 2nd day there and we decided against getting more bait after seeing the first night on the ice.

"The strip" is where it was at. Good times!

[Jarrid Houston]

This event isalways a lot of fun. Have not done it in a while, but a few years back I just bought my new frabill portable and was reading directions ad putting it together on the ice (silly I know)..A familiar face came up from behind me and asked if I needed any help...Kent Hrbek....Crazy I know.. Awesome to meet the guy. he was filming for his show.

[CaptainGary]

Lots of people go for lots of different reasons. Party is what it is really about. Good friends, great people watching. Alot of people don't fish, just cruise the "strip".

Having said that, for us it is like a winter camping trip. We get together with several houses all together on the edge of the activities. We actually fish, along with checking out the vendors, watching the Eelpout Plunge, BBQ during the day, dancing at night. Our house is lit up with xmas lights and a palm tree so we can find it after we have ventured out. We have met alot of fun people there and caught alot of walleyes - only one eelpout. If you see us, stop by and say Hey!

[diederich06]

any updates on the snow/slush conditions in walker bay?

[Boar]

Thats my concerns, heard its tough. any update on those conditions?

[pike2eye]

This is going to be my first time going to pout festival. I always wanted to go before, but I cant wait to go. Plus hows is the lake on term of slush

[fishingishot]

I am just south of City Park in Walker. I have-not seen a car or truck on the Ice. The ice road from Walker to Onigum has not been used for a month. There are a few vehicles going out north of City Park and they are on what little roads there are. Under the snow there is about 12” ice and when you drill it starts to flood from all the weight. The big lake is a little better not much. V plow truck stuck on Thursday and another one today. There is more of a road system on the Pine Point area. Still limited to the roads. No off road travel recommended. At this point it’s not looking good.

[ERdeerhunter]

So is this going to happen? I mean, I know die hards will probably be there, but are they plowing the bay or anything to make it accessible? I'm guessing this would be a big blow to the local economy if everyone thinks it's going to be a bust this year.

[redrooster]

Yes it would be a huge blow to the local economy if it doesn't happen. I think everyone is hoping for a big meltdown before that weekend. Otherwise if the conditions don't improve,be prepared for lake travel by snowmobile or ATV only rule, which they did a few years back when conditions were bad, and it was a big cluster*&^k.

[diederich06]

some warm weather coming but probably not warm enough to get some snow melt on the lakes...

a few years back when the ice was bad where did they allow the ice houses to sit?

lets hope something changes out there!

[chberry]

on the lake every weekend 1/2 mile out from walker, aren't a lot of roads, but what is there in walker bay is good. Haven't run into any slush for about 3 weeks. 20 inches of ice under large wheel house, no water coming up when holes are drilled. Pout fest should be good, plowing will just take more work than usual.

Onigum highway was closed due to someone drilling a bunch of holes in the middle of the road and flooded the road. That is the reason it is closed.

[fishing is hot]

It’s official after 8:00AM Friday morning the start of Eelpout weekend the accesses will be closet to vehicles. Only ATV, UTV, Class 1, Class 2 and Snowmobiles will be allowed.

[fishing is hot]

It’s official after 8:00AM Friday morning the start of Eelpout weekend the accesses will be closet to vehicles. Only ATV, UTV, Class 1, Class 2 and Snowmobiles will be allowed.

[Ol_Bullhead]

where did you get your info ???

[creepworm]

It doesn't say anything on the website.

[diederich06]

Everyone you talk to has different "rumors". I was told by eelpout that there out there working on roads and clearing areas for ice houses and people to park.

who knows?

[redrooster]

I just heard basically the same thing, no vehicles allowed on Leech from noon Friday to noon Sunday during eelpout festival. Apparently the county went out and drilled a bunch of holes around and found spots with "only" 15" of ice. The announcement hasn't been made officially yet, but that is their plan.

[Ol_Bullhead]

what about large wheelhouses are they not letting those on the lake to

[redrooster]

I think the idea is that people can set up their houses before Friday if they can get a spot, but once the festival starts they will not let people other than law enforcement drive cars/trucks on the lake until the festival is over on Sunday. This is the same thing they did a few years back when ice conditions were poor. Again, this hasn't been officially announced, but it sounds likely.

[Ol_Bullhead]

Keep us informed, we are planning on attending if we can use wheelhouse, otherwise will not be able to attend (no lodging)

[MuskyHaus]

That's right, you won't be able to drive trucks out on the lake after Friday morning. Sounds like you can set your wheel houses up prior to that, though. The strip will still be there and all of the other events, but it just might be a little closer to shore. I've heard rumors of guys with Snowbears showing up to pull houses around and to give people rides, also. Should still be a great time!

[dukhntr]

The lake restriction will be in place during the festival, the only vehicle traffic allowed will be Atv’s and snowmobiles. The restriction is on from Friday February 18th at 8:00 a.m. Through February 20th at 3:00 p.m.

The above is from an email from the Cass County Sheriff's Department this morning.

dukhntr

[CaptainGary]

Thanks for the confirmation. Check out www.eelpoutfestival.com. It states you can drive out to put up your wheelhouse, but then need to take your vehicle off the ice. Our group of wheelhouses will be out on the ice before friday and we will have ATV's to get around. I think the key is to get there by Thursday eve. I am on the ice right now and have about 26 inches under my house although I see on the Eelpout website it says there are areas that are 15-18".

[Shoeless]

Are there any roads at all on Walker bay? Do you think there is much slush out there or can a guy get around with a good truck?

[Ol_Bullhead]

Capt. Gary when you drilled your holes how much water came up on the ice ??

[CaptainGary]

So I am told I am reading the info on the Eelpout webpage wrong. I am also told you will be able to take your icehouse out and drop it on the ice by the landing. There will be vehicles there to take you where you want to go for a donation. I recommend calling the Cass County Sherrif's Dept. to get the straight story.

As for roads, there are some, and they are working on more. Supposedly more roads will be plowed next week before the fest. I am getting this from the locals, nothing concrete.

As far as my drilling holes, when I started drilling the first hole, the water gushed out up to the bottom of my house and I thought I was going to flood, but once I drilled all the way through, the pressure stopped and I had no flooding. None of the houses around me flooded either. I think I am lucky though as I have seen a few other houses with a lot of water around them. By the way, I sat out there for about 2 hours last night and caught 2 nice eyes both about 16-17".