Minnesota Steelheader

We have finally set the date for the 2012  fall Streamside Clinic.  This year it will also coincide with our annual Adopt-a-River cleanup along the banks of the Sucker River. Date: September 29th: Cleanup Location:  Sucker River parking lot. Time - clean up: start between 9:30-10:00am Clinic Location: Mid Shore River TBD Time-clinic:   after clean up - approx.11:30am Limited Attendance - contact - get on the list The Clinic: We spend 30 - 45 minutes or so having a streamside discussion about pink salmon, their life cycle, why they have been relatively successful in the Superior environment compared to other Pacific Salmon, and how this relates to the North Shore steelhead fishery. There's a little mix of biology, geology and limnology thrown in. Since there are lots of similarities with regards to the areas the pinks key on, rigging, presentations etc., learning to catch them teaches you a lot about how to catch steel...

Greetings all! We recently received something really special from Matt Ward at the DNR which deserves recognition and attention. Matt was previously the Anadromous Specialist for the Duluth Area Fisheries Office, but now serves as Large Lake Specialist for Leech Lake out of Walker. For all the angst over various issues the public has with the DNR, the incredible work individuals like Matt do on a day to day basis too often gets lost in the kerfluffel... Here's an exerpt from Matt's message to us: "I was previously the anadromous specialist for the MNDNR over on Superior and now am on Leech Lake... I crunched all of the numbers on our spring creel data of anglers that caught steelhead and summarized it in hopes that more people would be successful and enjoy the fishery." This poster will be presented at the American Fisheries Society meeting in the Twin Cities next week. I think the last line in Matt's message and the fact he sent this to us to present to You...

So I'm working on compiling the rest of the 2012 run numbers as well as putting together some historical context, and a couple things come to mind. First I'd like to offer a GIGANTIC Thank You to the folks in the Minnesota DNR Duluth Fisheries Section: People like Deserae Hendrickson, Don Schreiner, the creel clerks and many, many others provide us with so much incredible information not to mention doing boots-on-the-ground work that all too often goes un-mentioned, un-thanked or flat out un-noticed - So Thank You! We couldn't provide the wonderful information we do to the followers of Minnesota Steelheader without that great work. Did you know for example that, " The Minnesota DNR Duluth Fisheries Area manages 349 lakes, 473 miles of trout stream, and 157 miles of river, including the St. Louis River Estuary. Management efforts provide diverse fishing opportunities with urban trout fishing, scenic settings for trout anglers, andromous fish runs, and pristine ...

2012 Spring Creel Final Numbers along with Trap numbers through 05.14.2012. We'll still see a few fish here and there on the Upper Shore with rain, but temps are getting awefully high so I'm not sure how long that will last. Not many people out fishing anymore so it's hard to say what numbers are truly like; the US numbers in particular. Unknown if the Traps are now closed as well... Regards- NMF

The Crew at Minnesota Steelheader is hosting a happy hour / Meet & Greet next week, Tuesday, May 22 at 5pm, for any steelhead enthusiasts that are interested. The Location this time around is going to be in the heart of St. Paul.  You will have to go to our facebook "EVENTS" page to get the details though.  We have learned long ago not to post specifics on our blog.... weird stuff always seems to follow. This is open to anyone, novices and veterans alike, who are interested in meeting fellow steelheaders, the people behind the website as well as share stories, tips and other fishy things with fellow anglers.  No formalities here, just like minded anglers with an opportunity to meet eachother off the water with a favorite beverage. Click HERE to head to our facebook page

This time of year on the North Shore often feels like a ghost town when it comes to spotting fellow steelheaders.  Over the years I have found that once the Month of May hits anglers simply are not out like they are during the first April push of fish, or in this crazy spring - March push.  Still trying to figure this out.  Maybe people are discouraged from the news of poor creel reports or the perceived lack of water.  Based on experience and following flow and run charts, yes the same charts we link and post here, this time of year can be a steelheader's dream. Maybe anglers think steelhead are like the smelt run,  within a few days it is done.  This is so far from the truth!  If fact, if the weather pattern stays the same along the North Shore this spring, I bet a few fish will still be around Memorial weekend.  That is well over 2 months of steelhead action!  Sure they are harder to find than standing in the la...

The North Shore Steelhead / Kamlops / Rainbow Trout regulations can be a bit confusing to some. Let's sum it up... Recently we were asked out on the water about what you can and can't keep with regards to all North Shore Rainbow Trout strains.  In a nut shell, if is has an adipose fine, as illustrated here, it must be immediately returned to the river as these fish are our steelhead.  Even if you find one with a tag, as long as there is an adipose fin it must be released.  If this fin has been removed by the DNR, and obviously healed, you have a fish that is keepable. Read through the regulations though as there are size/bag limits that you must be aware of.