The rock band name on this shed leaves the unanswered question, “Why?”
IN A SOUTHWEST FARIBAULT backyard rests a shed emblazoned with the name of an English rock band, Led Zeppelin.
This might be more than a shed. It looks like an ice fishing house. For those of you from warm weather states unfamiliar with such a shelter, here’s the deal. In the frigid cold of winter, anglers walk or drive onto frozen lakes to fish. Yes, you read that right. Drive. Once there, they hunker down in the open air or in mini houses to fish through holes drilled into the ice.
Houses can range from mass-produced collapsible fabric to homemade from plywood to massive homey shelters resembling mini cabins.
I’ve only ever fished in an ice house similar to the Led Zeppelin one. That was decades ago when I was in my late twenties, newly-married and slightly interested in the sport.
But many Minnesotans take ice fishing seriously. This past weekend, thousands of anglers converged on frozen Gull Lake in northern Minnesota for the Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravganza, the largest ice fishing tournament in the world. The winner, a Chaska man, hooked a 5.33 pound walleye to land the grand prize of a GMC pick-up truck. Not bad for a day of fishing.
See how thoughts thread together, how the name of a rock band on a shed in Faribault can lead me to expound on ice fishing in Minnesota? Yes, winter is growing long.
Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
This is a prime example of making the best of winter. There are several ice fishing contests scatter across the state. Eel Pout fest in Walker, MN is an interesting event attended by numerous interesting folks in late February.
I think it’s great when community’s offer events like the ice fishing contest in Brainerd. It shows us that winter can be fun. Have you been to the Eel Pout Festival?
I’ve been to Eel Pout Festival several times. The people watching is interesting. Eel Pout is sometimes touted as the “poor man’s lobster.” It didn’t taste anything like lobster to me.
Oh, yes, people watching. One of my favorite past-times. You mean eel pout doesn’t take like chicken? That seems to be the answer to everything when a taste can’t be described.
Not so much like chicken. It is unique to say the least.
“Unique.” In other words, you don’t much like eel pout.
More of an acquired taste I would say. It wasn’t horrible, but it wasn’t lobster.
Alright, now I’m laughing. Kind of an acquired taste like lutefisk.
Exactly.
Why isn’t it on the ice. Inquiring minds want to know.
I wonder the same.
Ice houses are not just for fishing. They are also for art.
Audrey, forgive me for dropping a shameless plug on your website but for those of us who feel that ice houses are a native Minnesota artform, I cannot help myself. I encourage everyone to go see The Art Shanty Project on White Bear Lake. It is a whole lot of fun, especially for kids and best of all my daughter has an entry there.
Funny you should mention this, Greg, as just last weekend we were going to attend The Art Shanty Project with our eldest daughter and son-in-law. But then other things, like assembling a crib, took precedence. Plus, I’m not sure my pregnant daughter really wanted to venture onto the ice. It’s still on my list of attractions to see.
If you get a chance to head up there, say ‘hi’ to Clara. I am going on Saturday.
Unfortunately, it does not appear I will get up there this year due to a crazy busy February. Otherwise I certainly would make a point of greeting your daughter Clara. You should blog about this, even if it doesn’t fit your usual subject matter. How about photos?
We’ll catch you next year. 🙂 I might give blogging about it a try.
Sounds good. Remind me. Yes, try blogging about it. You can do it. Yes, you can.
My first thought is that ice shack probably welcomes some pot smokers and alcohol drinkers. I never liked Led Zeppelin – the music was strangely dark, which I found depressing. The group was popular during my teenage years, and so was pot and copious amounts of alcohol. Aside from all of that, when I lived in Nebraska I did ice fish in the winters, but had no shack, just sat on a 5-gallon bucket, freezing, and not catching many fish.
I grew up in the same era. I had to ask my husband about Led Zeppelin. I actually thought it was a person and not the name of a band. That shows how much I don’t know about music. He answered, “Stairway to Heaven.” Ah, yes, I remember that song.
You are an authentic ice angler having fished in the open sitting on an overturned five-gallon bucket. That’s dedication or…
Thank you for not finishing that!! Ha ha!! 😀
Eeeehhhh you just stirred up childhood nightmares. I will never forget the torturers of ice fishing. Maybe thus is why I spend so much time knitting hats.
Ice fishing with your dad? No choice?
Yes Ma’am
Uh, that’s not good.
Watch the movie Grumpy Old Men and they will show you how to ice fish – ha! I am not a fan when the ice cracks and will not drive or snowmobile on it either. Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
Oh, the cracking of ice scares me, too. Back in the day when I occasionally ice fished, I was OK with driving onto the ice. I don’t think I could do that now.
Grumpy Old Men, now there’s a Minnesota classic. Some scenes were filmed in Faribault of the train depot and in a former drugstore. How cool is that?
A True Classic and that is Cool!
I always admired the name Led Zeppelin.. The creativity was not lost on me and their music was pretty rockin’ too.
OK, explain the name to me.
Do you remember the phrase “well that went over like a lead balloon”? A zeppelin is a dirigible/blimp/balloon.. and the led is a derivative of lead.. That is why I thought it so clever.
Of course, I know that phrase. Never made the connection to the band name. Yes, quite clever.
Sorry to hear your winter is becoming a drag. It’s been so hot in Sydney the last couple of days. And I’ve been out in it to the point of feeling quite faint and dehydrated. Spent yesterday at Alfie’s swimming carnival where I was time-keeping and there was almost no shade and it was nearly 100F. I kept wishing someone would push me into the pool. As you might have imagined, I have never tried ice fishing! I have heard of it and I’ve seen a documentary with some of those ‘houses’ on the ice. Not sure that it’s a sport I can ‘warm’ to (sorry – couldn’t resist!) xx
If I could only trade some of our cold for your warmth and vice versa. Then we’d each have the ideal temps. Stay cool and hydrated.
I’ve met some ice fishermen, but I’ve never had any desire to fish, ice or otherwise. I like more action in my activities I guess. I did hear that some cars fell through the ice in Lake Geneva WI last week.
Happens every year in Minnesota, too. I saw that Lake Geneva clip. You have to use caution and know the lake.