Eelpout festival in walker

[Ol_Bullhead]

when you drop the house on the ice, where are you going to be able to park your vehicles for the weekend ??

[Jimmy from Cottage Grove]

So what will this do to the turn out?

[creepworm]

So what will this do to the turn out?

I don't know about anyone else but I know our group of about a dozen people will not be attending. Sounds like a cluster F%@& to me.

[CaptainGary]

Creepworm, That's what I told my wife and that's why we are going...sounds like fun!

[creepworm]

I see where you are coming from. It would be very enjoyable to sit in a lawn chair with a case of beer next to me and watch it all play out. However, The seven hour drive is a bit much for me if it is not a 100% turnout.

[CaptainGary]

Don't blame you for not making the drive. I live only 7 miles away, so I can sit back and see what happens.

[Gofishleech]

There is going to be a melt down this weekend but it might be too late. But if we had some cold before the fest who knows what ice conditions could be.

[ERdeerhunter]

This was going to be our first time coming, I guess we'll be waiting until next year.

[Jimmy from Cottage Grove]

Yeah mine too. I just bought a new wheelhouse this year. I guess i will have to wait another year.

[diederich06]

No reason not to go, they will have volunteers to pull houses out to the strip or wherever you decide to go thats accesable.

Or if you are able to go up thursday afternoon and pull your house out on ur own.

There also having locations on shore for icehouses....

[LBZFAN]

10 day forecast shows above freezing everyday starting this Saturday. Channel 6 in Fargo said tonight that maybe even 40 degree temps by late next week. With freezing temps at night, conditions are going to MAJORLY change in walker bay. This will be my 5th year at the 'Fest and theres no way im missing it if the weather is warm. I drive a diesel truck and a 8x20 Ice Castle, I have no doubt i will make it to my spot. Just get out early, Wed. or Thurs. Think twice before canceling your plans folks! See you there!

[ERdeerhunter]

I'm not worried so much about getting stuck as I am about flooding. It sounds like water is already gushing from drilled holes, imagine what it could be like with all the weight from the party on the ice. I'd rather not flood the bottom of my brand new ice castle, we'll try again next year.

[ozzie]

I don't think the flooding is as bad as they make it out to be....with the weather and if they plow ahead of time the area I would imagine will have no problems taking on the weight and not have a big lake on the ice.......and if you do get out there set down and drill holes and water does come up raise the house off the ground give it time and it should disperse.....after all this is not a fishing event as much as it is a party!! Good Luck

[Chuckster]

If they didnt think it was "that bad" there would be no reason to place the restrictions that they did. I think people are getting the impression that local authority figures and business' are overreating, when in all actuality they are looking out for the safety of those who do not get to see or understand the conditions on a daily basis.

I live 1 mile from Erickson's landing on Walker Bay and have not been to my fish house in 3 weeks because I am tired of the gamble of ruining anything I drive out there each time. Since New Years, the only way to be able to move around has been snowmobile, and each time we use that we spend the next 2 days thawing and fixing everything that freezes or breaks due to all the snow and slush. The only places that have made ice since the first part of January have been areas where roads have been plowed, and I can tell you that there arent many. The last time I drilled a hole on the main lake was Jan 22nd, and there were spots where there were only 9-10 inches of ice.

The number of houses in Walker Bay is about 1/5 of what there was during the first month of the season. The only ones getting to them on a regular basis are those who are using snowmobiles. I drive by Walker Bay every morning and every night on my way to work, and there are not many people using the houses that are left out there.

[ozzie]

Is Walker bay that much different than the rest of the lake.....I know that there are bad areas out there but at least around the Pine point area the gushing water and flooding isn't that bad from the areas that I was in a couple weeks ago and there seemed to be plenty of ice........

[Chuckster]

Somewhat, yes. Mostly in the areas that have the most snow and higher traffic volumes. Walker Bay usually is about 2-3 weeks behind the main basin schedule as far as ice on/off. Its also 150 ft deep in spots compared to mostly shallow flats on the main part of the lake.

[Fish_King]

Hey does anyone know if you can clean your eelpout there, my first time going

[LBZFAN]

Report from Walker Bay: Major loss of snow yesterday with 50 degree temps. About 6 inches of snow or less on top of the ice. Travel is possible anywhere on the bay. A little water on whats left of some plowed roads, but travel off the road IS NO PROBLEM. 18-24" of ice is what I have found. Its possible you could find a little less in certain areas. Warm temps continue this week most of the snow will be gone, below freezing temps forcast for the festival. Game on! I do agree with travel restrictions for pout, too many trucks causes too much flooding on the strip (like last year).

[Scott Steil]

Yep, conditions have gone from terrible to almost perfect with the Melt. I am looking forward to it. See ya out in front of the Chase on the Lake. Look for the Large Northern Beer sign and stop in and introduce yourself and have a free beer!

Scott Steil

[CaptainGary]

Hey Scott, we will hold you to that! It's going to be a great weekend!

[Ol_Bullhead]

looking forward to our first time to the eelpout, you had me at free beer scott

[MuskyHaus]

Anyone looking for a place to stay in their wheelhouse overnight? If so, let me know....I've got room within a short walk of the city park (less than 150 yards). [email protected]

[fishgetz]

Are you serving Northern beer? I may have to stop in and try one. I will be fishing with my brother-in-law. He is the one plowing road at The Shores on Pine Point.

[Scott Steil]

Not serving beer, just bringing plenty for anyone there that wants to sample any of the three Northern Flavors for free. I will be set up just outside the Chase breakwall so make sure you stop by and have a beer. You won't be able to miss the big Northern Beer sign.

[fishgetz]

Any one heading up to pout festival and wants to drive on the ice can get on the main lake through The Shores at Pine Point. They will be open for truck traffic for $10 to use the access. They have miles of plowed roads to use and the melting has maid it easier to get around.

[mmartin]

Don't think you can drive through the narrows, its usually bad ice.

[fishgetz]

This is just to get on the main lake. You will have to drive on the road to get back to the festival.

[graf703]

Me and a bud are doing a spur of the moment trip up for the event.

How much standing water is everyone expecting? I have a command post and we are going to put cots up or an air mattress to sleep in it if possible. If we feel like actually catching fish should we venture away from the party in the bay?

[mmartin]

This is just to get on the main lake. You will have to drive on the road to get back to the festival.

So, what is this gaining you?

[fishgetz]

If you cannot get up there before 8AM tomorrow you can wait for someone to pull your house out or you can go on at The Shores on your own on the main lake.