SE MN Trout Stream Management Plan Open Houses

[Scott M]

Mar. 4 2010

MN DNR News

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will hold six open houses in March and April to update the public on accomplishments and goals for management of trout streams in southeastern Minnesota.

Fed by the cold water of natural springs, the valleys of southeastern Minnesota are an angler’s paradise, with more than 700 miles of trout streams. Ecologically sensitive, and popular with anglers from around the upper midwest, these streams require special attention to assure that they remain healthy and productive.

The DNR in 2003 worked with anglers and other interests to develop a 12-year strategic plan and a 6-year management plan to maintain the recreational and biological values of these coldwater resources. Now, at the midpoint of that 12-year period, the DNR is reporting on its progress and fine-tuning plans for the next six years.

The DNR’s 2004-2009 management plan for southeast trout streams included four major goals related to angling opportunities, habitat improvement, research and monitoring, and public information.

Accomplishments for this period include:

* Added 20.26 miles of angling easements on 20 streams.

* Reintroduced native brook trout in 17 streams.

* Implemented tiered trout fishing regulations to increase angling opportunities.

* Assessed fish populations in 68 streams.

* Published 68-page booklet highlighting angling opportunities.

* Intensified long-term monitoring program to better evaluate factors influencing annual variability of trout populations.

While retaining the four major goals of the earlier plan, DNR fisheries staff has identified a number of opportunities for further improvements in their management of southeast Minnesota’s unique coldwater resources for the next few years, including:

* Increase angling opportunities.

* Accelerate acquisition of angling easements.

* Explore simplification of angling regulations.

* Secure new funding for habitat improvement.

* Enhance research and monitoring efforts.

* Augment information on DNR Web site.

Public information meetings on recent accomplishments and proposed plans will be held from 7 -9 p.m., with formal presentations at 7:45 p.m., on:

* Tuesday, March 16, at the DNR Central Office cafeteria, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul

* Tuesday, March 23, at the University Rochester/Heinz Center, 851 30th Ave SE, Room HA 102, Rochester

* Thursday March 25, at the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center, 28097 Goodview Drive, Lanesboro

* Monday, March 29, at the Frontenac Sportsman’s Community Center, Co. Rd. 2 and Territorial Road, Frontenac

* Monday, April 5, at Elks Lodge 327, 4540 Service Drive, Winona

* Thursday, April 15, at the Four Seasons Community Center, 900 N. Kingston St., Caledonia.

Copies of the draft management plan can be found here

[itchmesir]

Do you know.. has the DNR released an updated stream booklet? or is downloading and printing the only source for the updated streams?

[goblueM]

i think they switched to online last year... i have a feeling printing the books was too expensive for them? not sure

[itchmesir]

it would be awesome if they incorporated their maps into gmaps.. but i suppose thats asking too much

[Scudly]

Trout maps are here folks. Easy bookmark.

MN DNR Trout Maps

BTW, last time I researched the topic back in December this is what I found:

1. Remove the barbless hook regulation on all trout streams, in all angling season, in southeast Minnesota (Fillmore, Houston, Winona, Olmsted, Wabasha, and Goodhue counties). Fair enough. There is almost no difference in mortality of a gut hooked barbed versus barbless trout. In Wisconsin you can now fish with barb (as of last Saturday) for the pre-season opener. This is a no brainer. All the studies show barbed versus barbless is nil.

2. Extend the trout season to October 15. Right now September 15 - October 15 is catch and release. Currently, bait is allowed September 15 - September 30. Bait would be allowed September 15 - October 15 with the exception of any artificial only areas.

3. Extend the current winter season to include ALL designated trout water in southeast Minnesota. I spoke with Steve Klotz and Vaughn Snook who assured me bait will also be allowed. Note the word “extend” the current winter season. No changes beyond extending the season are made. Currently we are limited to fishing 32 trout streams January 1 – March 31. The new proposal is allowing fishing for ALL trout streams all the way up to the opener.

4. Require that stream reaches with gear restrictions during the regular season follow those gear restrictions in all other seasons. I think there is confusion right now. Current winter pre-season regulations say the following:

* January 1 - March 31

* Catch-and-release of all trout.

* All hooks must be barbless.

* Live bait may be used.

* Angling allowed only in posted sections. (See maps below.)

Some people might read this that bait can be used for ALL designated winter streams from January 1 - March 31. Reading the fine print this is not true. If the stream is AO during the summer, it is also AO during the pre-season. For instance, one cannot use bait on Hay Creek.

5. Instrument a new “State Parks Season” in southeast Minnesota where trout anglers could fish from October 15th to December 31st. Vaughn Snook again confirmed bait will be allowed within designated parks, so it is basically an extension of the catch and release season for specific parks.

Anyone else have a different interpretation of the upcoming proposals as they relate to trout?

On a similar note, the April 12 Wisconsin spring hearings are also coming up. Non-residents are welcome to attend AND vote!

Wisconsin Conservation Congress Spring Hearing - April 12