Minnesota Steelheader

Between the recent cold and the snow and work demands, I've had my head down and pointed into the wind; but steelheading has a funny way of muscling it's way back into prominence... I walked outside yesterday morning to the first real calm and sun in a while. It FELT like spring finally; there was a definate difference in the feel and smell to the air. Not only that but the first robin of the season was adding his two cents to what the cardinals have been saying for two weeks or so. Every time I hear that spring singing, all I can think of is the Far Side cartoon about what the birds are really saying to the girls, "Hey-Baby... Hey-Baby..." Anyway - Later in the day I decided to poke around a bit and noticed that we are finally seeing signs of life on the South Shore. What you see below is a classic gage signature for early stage ice melt: As the sun hits mid-day, even when temps are below freezing, things warm up just enough to start meltin...

North Shore steelhead reports are just around the corner! When the temps warm, the snow starts to dwindle, and the ice starts to thaw we know that the 2013 steelhead season is soon upon us. The air temperature today along the shore looks to hoover right around the freezing mark.  When was the last time you could say that? Once the season gets under way and our guys are out on the water you can expect to see regular stream condition posts and fishing reports right here.  We also post creel information provided with the help of the MN DNR and their great staff. Our facebook page will have some great info too, but more of the specifics will be right here! Please note that Minnesota steelheader is run by volunteers with families and day jobs.  We do our best to have information posted in a timely manner, but we ask that you cut us some slack if we are a bit behind from time to time.  We also encourage you to post any comments or additional facts and tips to share...

    So I was sitting in my home office working today when I heard something that put a big smile on my face. I had to listen carefully just to make sure, but after a couple minutes there it was again, the unmistakable spring song of a male cardinal. He was sitting in the big pine which grows just outside my deck window letting all the other fellas know that my back yard was now his exclusive territory. Whether you realize it or not, we steelheaders are scientists of sorts. We rely on all sorts of signs to let us know that the steelheading season is upon us; in short, we practice the ageless art of Phenology.       Phenology is the study of the seasonal timing of life cycle events. You practice phenology when you record the date a certain plant flowers, a tree's leaves emerge, an insect hatches, a migratory bird appears on its nesting grounds, or when a cardinal begins singing it's spring song. The dates on which the...

  This Highlight Reel is a compilation of photos from a few of our staff and friends of Minnesota Steelheader.  It is a highlight of the 2012 fishing season along the North Shore of Lake Superior.    The season starts as the ice leaves the Rivers in the Spring, usually around the end of March or first part of April.  Our primary target is Steelhead, but I don't kow a soul who would ever refuse a Kamloop.  As spring turns to summer the fishing is left to local stream trout populations and shore casting looking for crusing trout and salmon.  The arrival of fall brings Pink, Coho and a few King Salmon back into our rivers.  Later fall you will also find a few steelhead returning, though this is not the main steelhead run.    The prize though of fall is arguably the Brook Trout or "Coasters" as they are refered to by the seasoned anglers.  They are coming back l...

2012 was an an interesting year along the North Shore of Lake Superior.  We had one of the earliest spring Steelhead runs most have ever encountered.  The 100 year flood changed many of the rivers creating new bends, washed out gravel beds, destroyed overpasses and culverts, yet we witnessed first hand on the upper Sucker River, our adopted river, that young rainbows are still thriving. The fall salmon run was not real exciting due to the lack of precipitation and stream flow.  In fact those that traveled past the Stewart River this fall saw a sandbar that completely closed off  Pink Salmon migration.  In spit of the fall conditions, there were still Salmon to be had if one was willing to search. All-in-all it was still an enjoyable year and a rather successful one for MS. Our staff had some great trips on the water, some nice fish caught too.  We had a great turnout at our fall clean up, a full class at our fall Salmon clinic, some pr...

DNR commissioner appoints new Aquatic Invasive Species Advisory Committee (Released December 27, 2012) Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Commissioner Tom Landwehr appointed 15 members on Dec. 19 to a new statewide Aquatic Invasive Species Advisory Committee. According to the DNR, aquatic invasive species is one of the most important natural resource issues for Minnesota. Preventing the spread of zebra mussels, Asian carp and Eurasian watermilfoil (as well as other invasive plants and animals) in lakes and streams is critical, along with effective control of established invasive populations. The committee was created to help the DNR maintain strong relationships with AIS stakeholders and use their advice and recommendations to help guide the department’s activities. Appointed to three-year terms for 2013-2015 are: John M. Barten, Plymouth; Gary Botzek, Roseville; Jerry Byron, Waseca; Pat Conzemius, Brooklyn Center; Rachael Crabb, Minneapolis; Jeff Forester, ...

(Released December 27, 2012)- MN DNR Interested citizens have until Monday, Feb. 11, to comment on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) plans to provide more angler opportunity for trout and sturgeon, and protect flathead catfish during winter and to make changes to some other fisheries rules. For trout, DNR is considering rules that: Simplify trout fishing regulations in southeastern Minnesota by dropping the barbless hook restriction; research has demonstrated that hooking mortality is not significantly greater with a barb. Extend the end of the fall catch-and-release season on all designated trout streams in southeastern Minnesota from Sept. 30 to Oct. 15. Allow catch-and-release angling on designated trout streams in some southeastern Minnesota state parks from Oct. 15 to Dec. 31. Open some lakes in Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Crow Wing and Hubbard counties to winter trout fishing. Prompted by successful recovery efforts of the sturgeon populations in the ...