Minnesota Statewide Trout Habitat Enhancement
Minnesota Trout Unlimited will enhance degraded habitat for fish and diverse wildlife in and along priority trout streams with existing permanent protection. Increasing threats to these relatively scarce resources require accelerating habitat work to reduce the backlog of degraded stream reaches and buffer streams from the increased frequency and intensity of large rainfall and flooding. In the process of restoring habitat, we also increase climate resilience by reconnecting streams to their floodplains and removing barriers to fish movement to colder water. Outcomes include increased fish and wildlife populations, and more opportunities for anglers to access quality ecosystems close to home.
The popularity of trout fishing in Minnesota continues to grow. Anglers applaud our recent habitat projects and want to see many more undertaken. Badly degraded habitat on those trout streams that are most accessible to the public severely limits their productivity and public enjoyment. Minnesota Trout Unlimited ("MNTU") will directly enhance or restore degraded habitat on priority streams with existing protections under the Aquatic Management Area system or other public ownership. We propose to restore or enhance habitat in and along these public waters (in these counties):
1. Keene Creek (St. Louis);
2. Sucker Brook (Clearwater);
3. Stoney Brook (Cass);
4. Baptism, Manitou & Split Rock Rivers (Lake);
5. Little Rock Creek (Benton);
6. Little Cannon River (Goodhue);
7. Garvin Brook (Winona);
8. Rice Creek (Fillmore);
9. Mill Creek (Fillmore);
10. Numerous streams statewide (numerous counties); and
11. Additional Enhancement of older projects statewide (numerous counties).
Individual project descriptions are provided in an attachment. Some of the projects listed above may be reduced in scale or dropped due to the lower funding level recommended. However, if substantial other funding is leveraged projects reduced in scale or dropped may yet be completed.
Goals and scope of work:
The goals of projects are to increase the carrying capacity and trout population of the stream, increase climate resilience, increase angling access and participation, improve water quality, and provide other benefits to aquatic, terrestrial, and avian wildlife. Each project will accomplish one or more of these objectives: (a) increase adult trout abundance, (b) reduce stream bank erosion and associated sedimentation downstream, (c) reconnect the stream to its floodplains to reduce negative impacts from severe flooding, (d) increase natural reproduction of trout and other aquatic organisms, (e) increase habitat for invertebrates and non-game species, (f) improve connectivity of habitat along aquatic and riparian (terrestrial) corridors, (g) improve riparian forest health and function, (h) improve angler access and participation, and (i) protect productive trout waters from invasive species. The scope of work and methods utilized vary by project site conditions and are discussed in the individual project descriptions provided in an attachment.
How priorities were set:
MNTU focuses habitat enhancement and restoration efforts on those watersheds likely to continue to support viable, fishable populations of naturally reproducing trout fifty years and more from now. Work is done only where degraded habitat is a limiting factor for a quality, sustainable fishery. Priority locations are determined through consultations with MNDNR professionals, MNDNR management plans and surveys, other habitat and conservation planning efforts, MNTU members' knowledge of watersheds, and science-based criteria. All things being equal, we consider the potential to draw new anglers outdoors, increase public awareness, engage landowners in conservation, foster partnerships, and increase public support for OHF projects.
Stakeholder support:
We continue receiving strong support from anglers, landowners, rural communities, and local civic and sporting organizations. We will continue gathering local input and developing partnerships in the planning and implementation stages. Landowners are consistently enthusiastic partners.
$2,308,000 the second year is to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Trout Unlimited to restore and enhance habitat for trout and other species in and along coldwater rivers, lakes, and streams throughout Minnesota.
Improved aquatic habitat indicators - Measured through surveys of fish, macro invertebrates and/or exposed substrates. Abundance, size structure and species diversity are considered.
Protected, restored, and enhanced aspen parklands and riparian areas - Improved aquatic habitat indicators measured through surveys of fish, macro invertebrates and/or exposed substrates. Abundance, size structure and species diversity are considered.
Rivers, streams, and surrounding vegetation provide corridors of habitat - Enhancement of in-stream and riparian corridor habitat creates miles of connected habitat. Outcomes in aquatic life are measured through surveys of fish, macro invertebrates and/or exposed substrates. Abundance, size structure and species diversity are considered
USFWS and NRCS and other partners