Brent Getzler of Roosevelt, Minn., is the state record holder for the largest eelpout.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources says Getzler caught the mammoth 19 pound, 9 ounce, eelpout in the Minnesota waters of Lake of the Woods.

The fish measures 33 inches long and had a belly full of girth at 23 7/8 inches.

Getzler caught it while fishing for walleye with an orange jigging spoon tipped with a minnow on December 19.

The DNR says Brent and his buddies thought he was battling with a monster walleye and were recording the fight. Then they realized it was a 'pout and they quit filming.

The fish has a number of names, including freshwater ling, lawyer and burbot in addition to eelpout. Leech Lake in Walker, Minn., is home to the International Eelpout Festival each February.

John Anderson tells me they are called a "poor man's shrimp" and are pretty tasty when they are cooked right. If you have ever tasted eelpout, I would love to hear what you think.

photo from Minnesota DNR, Brent Getler with state record eelpout.
photo from Minnesota DNR, Brent Getler with state record eelpout.
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