I would like to get a shout out to all the Mille Lacs Lake fisherman to please release the pout that are being caught. If you don't plan to eat the fish, release it back into the lake. Eeelpout are bottom feeders and are good for the lake. They are also good feed for the big predator fish in the lake.
Not to mention they are pretty good table fare!!! If you have not eaten pout you may want to try them! I used to throw back pout for years and one trip to LOTW the guides convinced us to keep the pout and eat them. To my surprise it was very good!! They just cut out the back straps and deep fried them. I am now a fan!