While many Minnesota anglers are gearing up for ice fishing, those looking for a cure for the winter blues might want to cast a glance toward southeastern Minnesota where the stream trout season will soon be open, said Steve Klotz, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) area fisheries supervisor at Lanesboro.
The winter trout fishing season in the southeast, which is strictly catch and release, runs from Jan. 1 through March 31. The winter season is the result of the increasing popularity of trout fishing and requests from anglers to expand the number of streams open to winter fishing. Currently, 38 streams and about 135 miles are open to catch-and-release winter trout angling.
“Winter stream trout fishing provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in the midst of winter and also sharpens your angling skills,” Klotz said. “It’s highly challenging and great fun.”
The DNR implemented the winter trout fishing season in 1988 following improved water quality in the 1980s that created good natural trout reproduction in southeast coldwater streams. Klotz said the goal has been to provide additional recreational opportunities without harm to the trout resource, which is particularly vulnerable during fall spawning and the stress of winter.
In 1988 and 1989, DNR staff conducted a creel survey and monitored the trout populations to determine if negative impacts were occurring. The findings of that study and subsequent data have shown that the winter catch-and-release season does not cause any negative impacts to trout populations.
“The season has not had a detrimental effect on fish populations and has proven very popular,” Klotz said. “In fact, 60 percent of the first-time anglers are coming here from 75 to 150 miles away. And it’s not just for the fishing. When snow conditions cooperate, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling also are very popular.”
Winter trout fishing sometimes requires anglers to use unconventional tactics to see what works best, Klotz said. As water temperatures drop, so does fish activity. Every 10-degree temperature increase doubles the biological activity of the fish so afternoon fishing often is the most productive.
Tips that may increase an angler’s success include:
- carry a thermometer; fish are most active at water temperatures of 38 degrees and
warmer
- fish slow and use nymph imitators like small jigs that are easier to fish at slow speeds;
just wiggling a Rapala in the water also can work
- for spinning and spincasting equipment, keep reels cranking by using a Teflon
lubricant that’s not affected by cold
- use unconventional methods by creating unique lures or a cane pole.
Klotz also said only barbless hooks are allowed. Crimped hooks are permitted, and fish handling should be kept to a minimum. If the temperature is below freezing, trout should not be removed from the water.
“A lot of our streams were hit hard by flooding this summer,” Klotz said. “That, combined with the already-stressful conditions trout are experiencing in winter and after spawning, requires a careful approach to angling. Take care to avoid walking in riffles, where trout eggs may be incubating, and also to fight and release fish as quickly and gently as possible.”
Only select streams are open to winter fishing. Those streams are listed in the 2007 Fishing Regulation booklet, in the brochure 2007 Trout Angling Opportunities in Southeastern Minnesota, and on the DNR Web site www.dnr.state.mn.us
A sampling of creeks open for winter angling include:
Fillmore County - Diamond Creek, Etna Creek, Gribben Creek, North Branch Creek, South Fork Root River, Torkelson Creek and Wisel Creek.
Goodhue County - Hay Creek.
Houston County - West Beaver Creek, Bee Creek, Crooked Creek, Daley Creek, Swede
Bottom Creek and South Fork Crooked Creek.
Winona County - Coolridge Creek, Ferguson Creek, Garvin Brook, Hemmingway Creek, West Branch Money Creek, Pine Creek, Rush Creek, Trout Run, Trout Valley, Whitewater River (main, middle and north branches.)
“There’s a lot of winter ahead of us yet,” Klotz said. “And winter trout fishing can really help cure those winter blahs.”
Article Source:
http://justnorth.com/Articles/tabid/105/articleType/AuthorView/authorID/12/justnorth.aspx