TAKE ACTION WITH MINNESOTA TROUT UNLIMITED
Protection of coldwater fisheries is core to our mission and this means protection of the water, watersheds and aquifers upon which trout, steelhead and salmon depend for survival. Public policy decisions, especially those ultimately made at the Capitol can have huge consequences for the health and long term viability of Minnesota’s coldwater fisheries. Ensuring clean, cold water is central to fisheries protection. Educating decision makers and advocating for sound management of natural systems is thus a vital part of what Minnesota Trout Unlimited members do.
PRIORITY ISSUES
Learn more about the important issues we are working on and how you can take action by visiting the pages below. These pages will be updated with current action opportunities.
- Agricultural runoff to streams and aquifers, including nitrogen and pesticides, especially neonicotinoids, and fungicides, have dire impacts on the entire food chain including insects and trout.
- Data Centers have the potential to significantly impact coldwater fisheries due to the substantial water usage required for cooling purposes.
- Feedlot impacts and nitrate contamination must be curbed through effective manure management including timing of use, and storage practices.
- Public Waters must be clearly defined to for water quality and the health of fish and aquatic life downstream.
- Preventing Fish Kills is at the center of our advocacy work and is addressed in part by the issues included below.
- Sulfide Mining poses a direct threat to fish and their prey and can impact fishing opportunities.
2026 ADVOCACY OPPORTUNITIES
In 2026 we are closely following our priority issues and will be sharing opportunities with members to advocate. Check out our events calendar for upcoming coming action events including days at the Capitol and informational sessions.
Ongoing opportunities to engage with MNTU:
Contact your elected officials to share why you support the protection of coldwater fisheries!
General Letter Writing Tips
- Read our post on how to develop and use your voice!
- Visit our priority issue topic page for more information about specific issues.
- Find out who represents you here.
- If you need a head start, use this template to develop your letter.
- If you receive a response, follow up with a thank you!
- Let us know how it goes at action@mntu.org.
Write an opinion piece and submit it to your local paper.
Contact us if you’re interested. We can help you develop your story and get it submitted.
Contact: action@mntu.org
LATEST ADVOCACY NEWS
Action alert: Funding for habitat restoration is stalled
The Minnesota legislative session ends in two weeks and a few bills that would help safeguard the future of our coldwater fisheries need your help getting across the finish line.
Action alert: Protect robust trout streams near proposed data center in Hermantown
The proposed data center in Hermantown 278-acre sits between West Rocky Run and Adolph Creek - two streams containing some of the coldest water, best habitat and largest trout populations in the entire watershed and larger Duluth area.
Action alert: Recruit your out-of-state family and friends to protect the Boundary Waters
The resolution to reverse the 20-year ban on mining near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is expected to reach the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate any day now.
Action alert: Protect Minnesota’s trout streams and groundwater
The deadline to notify the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) that the Groundwater Protection Rule is failing to prevent nitrate pollution in our trout streams and groundwater is Thursday, March 12. At a minimum, the agency needs to hear from you and your friends that: The current Rule is not adequate to...
Action alert: Contact your senators to protect the BWCAW
The U.S. Senate vote on the Joint Resolution that would overturn the 20-year ban on mining upstream of the Boundary Waters has been delayed.
Why I became involved with Minnesota Trout Unlimited
Volunteer Spotlight on Mike Madigan Both my mother and father were fly fishers. They gave me my first fly rod when I was 7, a seven-foot Fenwick glass rod. For the first few years, I spent a great deal of time extricating my flies from the trees and bushes that lined...
Judge orders state to assess if fertilizer rules protect Minn. from nitrate pollution
DATE: 09/08/25 CONTACT: Sarah Horner, MCEA, shorner@mncenter.org, 612-868-3024 Saint Paul, Minn – A Ramsey County District Court judge ordered the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) to review whether the rules they have in place to protect Minnesotans’ drinking water from nitrate pollution are working....
2025 legislative session recap
Legislative session was more a game of defense, rather than much momentum forward this year. In general we held the line on our priority issues and were happy that so many of you showed up to attend rallies and hearings, and in submitting letters of concern to your elected officials....
Action alert: Protect coldwater streams through Minnesota’s feedlot rules
Minnesota’s trout streams and groundwater are some of our most valuable — and most vulnerable — resources. Minnesota Trout Unlimited is urging our members to tell the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to strengthen the Feedlot Rule to better protect clean water and healthy aquatic ecosystems. Specific comments on aspects of the...