Southeast MN Stream Conditions

NEW - Links to local precipitation reports are located at the bottom of this fishing report.

NEW - "Detailed fishing easement maps" are available here.

These maps are areas where we have previously had some landowner/angler conflict because anglers were not completely sure where the easement was located. If anyone knows of another please advise...we will put it on this list.

May 11, 2012 (Friday) - Wisel Creek is fishable but a little off color.  Everything else I saw today was in excellent condition.  Caddis hatching on Winnebago, Bee, and Duschee today.  Should be a great weekend to fish!

May 7, 2012 (Monday) - More rain!  Many streams are not fishable.  Camp Creek was fishable this morning...depends on what "fishable" is to you.  I was told South Fork Root River and Wisel Creek were not fishable Friday.  We have not seen it recently.  We were also told that Trout Run was really off colored on Friday but anglers had reportedly fished it this weekend.

May 4, 2012 (Friday) - We've had a little bit more rain...but nothing to really cause any problems.  We have not been out and about like we normally are at this time of year because of the wet soil conditions (makes for difficult heavy equipment movement for habitat improvement projects) and the fact that we are mostly done with our spring electrofishing schedule.  The streams we have seen are in good but low condition.  Review the NOAA precipitation map link below.

May 3, 2012 (Thursday) - We've had rain...but the streams seem to be in relatively good condition.  We will have more information later this afternoon.  Camp Creek and South Branch Root River in Preston looked alright...maybe a little off colored...early this morning.  Still seeing some really nice Baetis hatches this week.

April 27, 2012 (Friday) - More caddis. More blue-winged olives. More midges.  Expect more of the later two this weekend as it is supposed to be cool/cold and overcast.  Streams are in relatively good condition.  Low water conditions limit total habitat available to all trout life stages especially the YOY (young-of-the-year).

April 20, 2012 (Friday) - Everything was low and clear yesterday but we have had lots of rain the past few days.  Most streams are still in really good condition...and in some cases condition has improved.  Midges coming off in the mornings then caddis with some blue-winged olives.

April 19, 2012 (Thursday) - Well...its raining now...has been most of the day.  Not a real hard rain...which is probably good.  We would expect a continuation of blue-winged olive hatches with the weather conditions wet and overcast.  Fishing has been very good the past few weeks.  Streams should stay clear to slightly off based on past recent rain events...all the rain has just soaked right in and not really affected stream clarity or conditions.

April 17, 2012 (Tuesday) - Caddis are consistantly coming off in the afternoon on most streams in southeast MN.  Most of the rain during the past few days has soaked right up and not affected stream discharge or water clarity.  There are still Dark Hendrickson nymphs ready to hatch.  We expect some more rain fall in the next couple of days.

NOTE: Forestville State Park purchased Vreeman's property on the South Branch Root River upstream of the old park boundary.  By rule language, this moves the winter trout season boundary approximately 900 ft upstream of the old Arches Bridge.  The 12-16 inch protected slot (no gear restriction) on the Forestville State Park section of the South Branch Root River also moves upstream to this point.  Signs are posted at the new boundary and at the old Arches Bridge.  If you have questions, please call (507-467-2442).

April 12, 2012 (Thursday) - Wow!  Great fishing this past week.  Caddis are hatching and fish are hungry.  All streams are normal to very low flow.  Plan on spooky fish in gin clear water for the opener.  Rain this weekend may actually improve fishing conditions if the rain comes in short bursts.  Dark Hendrickson's are still coming off on the South Fork Root River.  Winnebago Creek has experienced some excellent caddis hatches.  The Pickwick Creek habitat improvement project area has also been fishing well.

• NOAA Precipitation Information - NEW (April 17, 2012)
• CoCoRaHS Precipitation Maps - NEW (April 17, 2012) Click Minnesota then your county of interest
• USGS Streamflow data for Southeast Minnesota (see 05383950 for "Root River near Pilot Mound" for example)
• Fall Impacts of Severe Flooding on Trout Populations and Streams in Southeast Minnesota