There are so many places to access information in today’s world it can all be overwhelming to know what to do and how you can voice your concerns about the issues that are important to you. The one thing that hasn’t changed is your personal experiences and the values you hold and share for healthy coldwater fisheries. Luckily it is the sharing of your story and values, that means the most to the officials elected to represent you at all levels of government. So how do you start?

Everyone Has A Story

The fact that you are reading this means that you have some connection or passion for Minnesota and angling. That passion can be translated into a statement that can be leveraged to raise awareness about important issues. So… sit in a comfy place you can focus for awhile. Turn off your notifications, make sure your child/spouse is napping/playing/out fishing, and get yourself an inspiring beverage and snack. Pull out a pencil and paper, your laptop, your phone, or however you prefer to write and jot down some answers to the following questions. Don’t worry about perfection. Just write!

  1. Who are you? What defines you? Are you an angler, a Minnesotan, a parent, a grandparent, a scientist, a MNTU member, a business owner, a teacher, a veteran? What does it mean to you to be this person?
  2. What experiences have you had that established your connection to Minnesota’s trout streams or angling? Did you grow up flyfishing? Is there a particular moment, location, or person that was instrumental in sparking your interest?
  3. What concerns do you have about your ability and/or the next generation’s ability to have the experiences you have been lucky enough to have? Has there been a moment or moments where you have seen or experienced something that sparked concern? Was there something you read, something you saw, someone that told you, their story?
  4. What are some of the causes for concern? Is your favorite trout stream in an agricultural zone being impacted by runoff? Do you love to fish in the BWCAW where sulfide mining is a threat? Is land use change along your favorite tributary to Lake Superior impacting the water quality? You can read up on some of these issues on our website and below we’ve included some key points.
  5. What is your vision for the future of Minnesota’s trout streams? What change do you want to see happen?

Weave it Together

Now that you have jotted down some answers to the questions above, it’s time to read through them and weave them together into a more cohesive statement. Are there any big picture themes that pop up? Any connections? As you begin to do the work of tying your words together, look for places you can add in sensory details and feelings. These are the ingredients that can bring others into your story, because while they may not have had your experience angling, they will inevitably have felt joy, grief and frustration in their life and will be able to connect with you through this. Finally, include a few facts to weave in that ground the issue that you have decided to elevate. We’ve included a few current examples with supporting facts below.  

Now What?

Congratulations, you’ve just written something you can use as the basis for taking action! You can use this for any number of opportunities today and into the future. Here are some things you can do:

  1. Share your statement with your friends and family to educate them about the issues facing Minnesota’s coldwater fisheries. Include a concrete action they can take themselves, including developing their own story.
  2. Turn it into an opinion piece for your local paper to raise awareness about an issue facing trout streams in your community or the state. MNTU staff is ready to help you this, just contact us at [email protected]!
  3. Read it to testify for a bill that is focused on protecting coldwater fisheries in Minnesota or testify against a bill that will harm coldwater fisheries.
  4. Use it as the body of a letter to your elected official asking them to support a particular bill, vote against a bill, or simply to raise awareness about something that is important to you as their constituent.
  5. Are you video savvy? Turn your story into a short video that features photos and video that brings your story to life.
  6. Share your story with us and we’ll post it to our website as a video or blog and share it! [email protected]

Current Issues Facing Minnesota’s Coldwater Fisheries

All these issues and associated action opportunities are regularly updated on our website. Visit our advocacy webpage for current opportunities, information, and/or to sign up for our action alerts.

Nitrate Contamination

Talking Points:

  • Nitrates come from a variety of sources, both natural and human based, but we know agricultural runoff and livestock manure are the primary sources.
  • 90% of nitrate in southeastern Minnesota’s waters comes from fertilized croplands.
  • Nitrates reduce the size and potentially survival of trout populations.
  • Increased nitrates in streams can lead to decreased suitability of habitat, especially for spawning and nursery areas, and stress adult fish which can make them more susceptible to disease and impact their reproductive success.
  • Increased nitrates have been shown to decrease the number of aquatic insects available as trout food.

Action Opportunities:

Nitrate contamination can be reduced in several ways. One highly effective method is through sustainable land use. MNTU supports legislation focused on providing farmers with incentives to implement practices that retain or slow runoff and increase infiltration, reduce fertilizer and pesticide use, and reduce erosion -all beneficial to maintaining the health of our trout streams.

Neonic Contamination

Talking Points:

  • Aquatic insects provide the essential food which supports trout fisheries.
  • Neonicotinoids or “neonics” are insecticides developed to kill insects. They decimate aquatic ecosystems.
  • Neonics are “systemic,” meaning they are water soluble, and long lasting. This allows them to rapidly contaminate surface and groundwater and stick around for up to three years.
  • Recent research in Minnesota showed neonics in 97% of water samples from rivers and streams, and 74% of groundwater samples, including at levels above the tolerance level of aquatic insects.
  • Neonics are applied as a coating to corn and soybean seeds and used by the majority of farmers in Minnesota.
  • Minnesota Department of Agriculture data confirms that neonic-treated seeds are the leading source of harmful neonic contamination in Minnesota waters.
  • The MDA does not regulate treated seeds. Most of the corn and soybean seeds sold in Minnesota are treated with neonics.

Action Opportunities:

Neonic treated seeds are the leading cause of neonic contamination in Minnesota, but the Minnesota Department of Agriculture argues that they do not have authority to monitor, much less regulate these seeds. MNTU is supporting legislation that regulates the use of neonics and neonic treated seeds in Minnesota.

Sulfide Mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

Talking Points:

  • The BWCA is home to pristine waters that support thriving populations of native lake trout and other fish species.
  • Fishing in the BWCA is a major draw for Minnesota’s outdoor recreation economy.
  • Sulfide mining is one of the most toxic forms of mining, with a high risk of acid mine drainage that can permanently pollute lakes, rivers, and groundwater.
  • Even trace amounts of sulfide pollution can devastate aquatic ecosystems by lowering pH, releasing heavy metals, and harming fish and insect populations that are critical to healthy fisheries.
  • The BWCA’s interconnected waterways mean that pollution from a single mine could spread far beyond the mine site, affecting countless lakes and streams.

Action Opportunities:

At the federal level the current President has made it clear that he would attempt to open the Superior National Forest up for copper-sulfide mining. Representative McCollum has reintroduced a bill to ensure protection, the Boundary Waters Wilderness Protection and Pollution Prevention Act. There are a number of bills that are expected to be introduced at the 2025 Minnesota legislative session including:

  • One that protects the Boundary Waters/Quetico/Voyageurs National Park from sulfide-ore copper mining pollution by banning these practices from being established in the Rainy River Watershed;
  • A “Prove it First” policy for sulfide mines, requiring independent scientific proof that a copper-sulfide mine has operated elsewhere in the United States for at least ten years without causing pollution
  • One that prohibits bad-actor corporations with histories of environmental violations, corruption, child labor, and other legal abuses from operating a sulfide mine in Minnesota. (Friends of the Boundary Waters)
  • A Taxpayer Protection Act that require nonferrous mining companies to fully fund any financial assurance package upfront and in cash.