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Bemidji man found dead in Leech Lake fish house

The 21-year-old was found unresponsive during the International Eelpout Festival.

By Mary Lynn Smith

March 2, 2018 at 12:55AM

This aerial photo shows vehicles and fish houses on the ice at the 2012 International Eelpout Festival in Walker, Minn. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

A 21-year-old Bemidji man died this week after he was found unresponsive in a fish house during the International Eelpout Festival on Leech Lake.

Cass County sheriff's deputies were called to the fish house about 9 a.m. Sunday. The man was taken to Park Rapids Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

The Ramsey County medical examiner is performing an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

The annual four-day festival in Walker attracts thousands of visitors.

about the writer

Mary Lynn Smith

Reporter

Mary Lynn Smith is a general assignment reporter for the Star Tribune. She previously covered St. Paul City Hall and Ramsey County. Before that, she worked in Duluth where she covered local and state government and business. She frequently has written about the outdoors.