THE DR. THOMAS WATERS AWARD FOR MINNESOTA CONSERVATION For his lifetime of achievements in coldwater conservation, we presented the 2024 Dr. Thomas Waters Award for Minnesota Conservation to JP Little. JP is a transformative figure in the history of Minnesota Trout Unlimited. He served on the Board of Directors for the...
Little Sister Sedge By Dr. Jennifer Biederman April marks the onset of more vibrant seasonal activity in trout streams, with increasing diversity of emerging insect life. This surge in insect activity not only breathes life into the aquatic ecosystem but also signals prime time for both trout and anglers. The increase in...
MNTU identified several improvements that should be made to ensure timely investigation and better public disclosure of lessons to be learned from any fish kill. Below is a summary of improvements needed. Background: The most recent large fish kill in a southeast Minnesota trout stream occurred on Rush Creek in July...
By Dr. Jennifer Biederman In northeastern Minnesota, where clear streams carve through thick forests and rocky ridges, the brook trout—a symbol of pristine waters—faces an uncertain future. Climate change, manifesting through rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, is reshaping the habitat these fish have thrived in for millennia. Flows of these...
by John Lenczewski, Executive Director On April 5 we joined with partners to celebrate the Public Lands that we collectively own. Public Lands are vital for supporting trout and steelhead populations and providing public fishing access. Wild trout and steelhead populations are products of the forests on public lands in northern Minnesota. They...
Dr. Jennifer Biederman Baetis, a genus of mayflies commonly known as the blue-winged olive among anglers, holds an iconic status in the world of trout enthusiasts. Emerging first from Minnesota streams in early March, this mayfly plays a crucial role in the delicate balance of coldwater stream ecosystems, capturing the fascination...
Name: Marlene Huston Hometown: Winona, MN MNTU Chapter: Hiawatha and Wincres Chapter Favorite place to fish/be outside: I have to pick one? The Driftless area of Southeast Minnesota Describe the experience or circumstance that got you "hooked" on fishing? We were a fishing family growing up. My first trip to SE MN on Trout...
Dr. Jennifer Biederman, MNTU Habitat Director A pre-construction bid meeting on Mill Creek in December ‘23, with MNTU’s contracted design engineers, MNDNR, MNTU habitat staff, and potential construction firms. While late winter and early spring might not seem like the peak time for trout stream restoration in Minnesota, MNTU's habitat program is...
Name: Jade Thomason Hometown: Afton, MN MNTU Chapter: Gitche Gumee Favorite place to fish/be outside: The BWCA and Quetico When did you get involved with Minnesota Trout Unlimited? I first became involved with MNTU around a dozen years ago when I was hired to plant twelve thousand trees along trout streams over a summer. This was...
Winter-Emerging Midges Photo credit: Chironomidae Research Group In the frigid heart of winter, a hidden world of resilience unfolds beneath the icy surfaces of Minnesota's streams. Enter the winter-emerging chironomids (aka “midges”), tiny aquatic flies belonging to the Chironomidae family. Resembling miniature black mosquitoes, some types of these resilient insects defy...
