Stream trout fishing opens statewide on April 17

The Bemidji Pioneer, Minn.
·2 min read

Apr. 16—ST. PAUL — Minnesota's popular warm weather stream trout season opens Saturday, April 17, with quality fishing opportunities in every region of the state. Brook trout and splake fishing also open April 17 on Lake Superior and its tributary streams.

"Minnesota has some excellent trout fishing and anglers help pay for trout habitat and access improvements with their fishing licenses and trout stamps," Benji Kohn, volunteer mentor program coordinator with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, said in a release. "If you haven't given trout fishing a try, it can be a relaxing, challenging and exciting way to fish. And you don't need a boat to fish for trout."

Whether you're new to the sport or an experienced trout angler, the DNR has new information on Minnesota's trout streams and lakes available on its website at www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/trout/index.html.

Modeled after the DNR's popular LakeFinder tool, StreamFinder provides anglers with a description, species list, regulations and access information for trout streams throughout Minnesota. Anglers also will find helpful learning guides and fishing tips tailored to each of Minnesota's six trout fishing regions.

Minnesota has roughly 3,800 miles of designated trout streams. The southeastern part of the state has a wide variety of streams and fishing opportunities — everything from big waters with fly or baitcasting, to tiny streams that require an angler to crawl through brush to access, the release said.

In other areas of the state, anglers can find trout fishing excitement on Lake Superior or its tributaries, and in northwestern Minnesota on the Straight River or Kabekona Creek.

Anglers fishing on designated trout waters must have a trout stamp validation in addition to an angling license. Complete trout season details are available at mndnr.gov/fishing.