Minnesota Steelheader

What a difference a couple days can make... We finally had a chance to start crunching some numbers thanks to some intrepid anglers and their submissions to the MNST Creel Project . We want to thank those anglers who have submitted so far, as well as to remind everyone else of what you can get out of participating. First off, we DO NOT post live fishing reports. Your MNST Creel Project submissions are not used in that fashion. All of the preliminary creel data used and posted such as you'll see below, are presented on a regional scale: Lower, Mid and Upper Shore. The early creel numbers are coming in from across each respective region and are presented as a trend, not as actual daily catch numbers. For all of you statistics nerds out there such as myself, the creel numbers are plotted as a 6-point moving average, only the daily flow and temperature numbers are actual. This is done to protect the underlying data, as well as to provide you with insight into relationships betwe...

New SGP Collection Box Location Attention all Steelhead Genetics Program Volunteers! A number of you, particularly volunteers who live on or primarily fish the Upper North Shore, had previously requested a more convenient way to submit scale samples. The Minnesota DNR and Minnesota Steelheader are pleased to announce the addition of a second sample collection box at the Poplar River. Lutsen Resort was kind enough to allow installation of the second collection box on the side of the boathouse. This is located just upstream from the covered foot-bridge which crosses the Polar River. When you drive in, simply follow Resort Road around the Lodge until you see the boathouse, it will be on your left - Location circled in red. This second location is just off of Steelhead 61, approximately 20 miles south of the Gunflint Trail and Grand Marais. The new location should make it much easier and more convenient for Upper Shore Anglers to drop off SGP samples. DNR Creel Clerks will be c...

Year one of the Steelhead Genetics Project - 2016, was a year of trial and error for the DNA sample collection program. Fortunately all of those cut fingers, dropped gear and lost knives paid off with some very helpful collection tips. So here they are, straight from the pros: Have packets in your vest and accessible :   Before you hit the water, make sure you have a knife and collection packets in an easily accessible outside pocket. Many times anglers found themselves thinking "oh this is just a small exploration run" and they ended up hooking piles of fish without the materials to collect data.  It helps to keep your knife and envelopes in a convenient place (front pocket in fly vest, jacket pocket, etc). Use a net :   Many anglers said that a net is almost mandatory in order to keep the fish in the water as long as possible.   A net also ensures that the angler doesn’t lose their fish at the river’s edge, and allows them to keep the fish in shallow...

Hello again! The 2017 spring steelhead season will be here soon! We will again be looking for avid anglers to help collect scale samples from steelhead for the second year of the Steelhead Genetics Project .  I would really appreciate your help in collecting scale samples from adult steelhead you catch this spring. If you would be interested in helping out again (or for the first time!), please let me know as soon as possible so I can get you a new permit and more scale envelopes, if needed.  A few notes for those who want to participate in 2017: All anglers need an updated permit. I have permits ready to go and can email or mail them to anglers who participated last season. Please let me know what delivery method would work the best for you. Anglers who did not participate last year will need to contact me or another Lake Superior Area Fisheries staff to receive a permit and training on how to collect scales. Goal for 2017: Collect more scales...