Adoring the Ling: A Celebration of the Most Unattractive Marine Species

Undoubtedly, the ling, or "eelpout," is an ugly, smelly, nasty, bothersome, slimy, and disgusting fish that lives in the ocean. Regardless of these drawbacks, it has a tasty flavor similar to lobster and even has its own festival close to Walker, Minnesota. Why? Despite its unattractive appearance, the eelpout has several useful characteristics.

Deeper parts of pristine, chilly lakes in the North are common places to find eelpout, which are also called spineless catfish, lawyer, or burbot. They have a barbel, or single-chin whisker, and seem like a cross between an eel and a catfish. It plays hide-and-seek with daring abandon, its slender, powerful frame taunting fishers.

The fact that they are so easy to catch is the main attraction for a lot of fishermen. In order to spawn, eelpout go to depths of 25–50 feet during the winter. This means that fishermen can anticipate catching a plethora of these languid swimmers, whose weights frequently reach double digits.

If you want to go eelpouting, the best times are in the early evening or after dark. As long as it's fishy and can fit in their mouths, these hideous marine animals will devour it. This makes them easy to bait, but it also makes them a nuisance to other fishermen since they steal bait. The eelpout, like many other nighttime predators, often waits for its prey to be asleep before striking.

This species demands more robust gear than the average game fisherman would use because of its size, aggression, and depth. To keep the capture online and stop the lure from twisting with the fish, use a stronger lure with a swivel and a leader of at least three feet. After the lure is topped off with glow hooks and rattle spoons containing minnows, it is free-called to the bottom.

An eelpout can be on board when the bait mixes with the mud and is snapped back to the surface. It is not unusual to catch 100 or more during the spawning period in late February, which typically weighs 3 to 8 pounds.

On Leech Lake in Walker, Minnesota, there is a yearly International Eelpout Festival when ling lovers can pay their respects. The three-day celebration of the most hideous fish in the ocean kicks off with a ceremonial opening and torchlight vigil. With rewards going to the most extravagant structures built on the lake, entrants are urged to let their imaginations run wild when building their fishing house.

A logo representing one of the tournament's sponsors can earn the shelter more points. Additionally, there are prizes for the heaviest individual pout, the greatest tonnage caught by an individual angler, and the most tonnage caught by a team of fishers.

There are plenty of ways to enjoy the eelpout at the festival if catching the horrible creatures isn't your thing. A 5K run/angling contest, the Eelpout Peelout pits runners against one another in an attempt to determine who can cross the finish line first.

Whether you're an angler or just want to watch, there's something exciting for everyone at this event, from the Snowmobile Radar Run and Eelpout Bowl Rugby Tournament to the Polar Plunge and a black-tie supper on the ice.

In terms of fishing zeal, few animals are as unattractive as this one. Eelpout fishing is a simple and enjoyable pastime; it requires little finesse or sophistication. The eelpout is a sight to behold for individuals who relish the outdoors, love fishing, and reel in a bountiful haul of fish, regardless of species.