March 2013 – Minnesota Trout Forums

3/31/13 Stream Conditions: Peak of spring runoff has passed

Posted on March 31, 2013March 31, 2013 by Randy

Runoff and high water levels have peaked, at least along the majority of southeast MN trout streams. Water is still rising along the Zumbro River in Zumbro Falls and downstream, and that is the only Flood Warning still in effect in southeast MN as of tonight (3/31/13). You can see the ups-and-downs of the Middle Branch of the Whitewater on my Stream Conditions page.

There is still snow on the ground and temperatures are dropping again, but there isn’t as much stored up moisture as we had prior to this past weekend. The rest of our snow will quickly disappear between Wednesday and Friday of this coming week.

Vaughn Snook, Assistant Area Fisheries Supervisor at the Lanesboro DNR office, grabbed the following pictures Saturday when runoff was peaking in most locations.

High water and a whole lot of foam below Bucksnort Dam

Sediment on top of an iced over stream channel – upper Pine Creek

UPDATE: MinnAqua Youth/Adult Mentored Fly Fishing Weekend

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Randy

I got a note from the coordinator for this, and the deadline to apply has been extended. If you know anyone who might be interested, let them know! It’s a great opportunity to get your feet wet in the sport of fly fishing for trout.

Just wanted to let you know that MinnAqua has extended the deadline to apply for the Youth/Adult Mentored Fly-Fishing Weekend until APRIL 1, 2013. Only seven applications have been received, and we have space (and mentors) for 20 youth/adult pairs! This awesome event features mentors from FFF, TU-Hiawatha, TU-Headwaters, Fly Fishing Women of Minnesota, the DNR, and other partners with additional support from the Izaak Walton League Bush Lake Chapter.

Thanks for letting the new fly anglers in your world know about this unique opportunity to learn from the experts. Please encourage them to apply today! Contact me with questions: deborah.groebner@state.mn.us

Snow Depth: This Year vs. Last Year

Posted on March 26, 2013March 25, 2013 by Randy

March 25, 2013

March 25, 2012

3/24/13 Report

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Randy

With spring taking its sweet time, a friend of mine decided it was time to camp no matter the weather this past weekend. I wasn’t able to join the camping expedition, but did head out with a buddy to meet up with him and fish Sunday. When we arrived, there was a smoldering campfire in the partially shoveled-out campsite.

They happened to be the only campers in the park aside from the turkeys and deer.

Light snow was falling, temperatures were in the upper 20s to lower 30s, sky was cloudy, and winds were brisk but not overwhelming. The water was very clear. A few fish were rising to midges, enough to coax me into tying on a midge dry after a couple hours of nymphing, and I tagged a couple small fish on top, otherwise we caught our fish on small PT’s, small wet flies, and midge larva patterns. I fished a size 18 pheasant tail and a chironomid most of the outing, which succeeded in bringing a half dozen fish to hand in a relatively short amount of time.

After a few hours, the desire for comfort exceeded the desire to fish any longer, and we left the water around 3pm. Not a bad day on the water, enough fish to scratch the itch as we wait for the days to warm up going into April.

March 7, 2013 Update

Posted on March 7, 2013March 7, 2013 by Randy

As of March 6th, the snow depth at the Rochester International airport is over 12″ for the first time since February 16, 2011. The recent snowfall varied from 5-12″ across southeast Minnesota. The highest totals were reported in northern Goodhue, eastern Wabasha, and eastern Winona counties. March 5-6, 2013 snowfall totals.

Current snow depth from the National Snow Analyses

I got out for a couple hours this past Sunday, prior to our fresh layer of snow, and fishing was pretty good in the afternoon despite being on the downhill slide of stream temperatures. As expected, catching was more productive where sun was hitting the water as opposed to shaded, colder portions of the stream. There were midges on the snow, not swarming, but plenty, and there were a few trout rising in slower water downstream of a few riffles/runs. The water was only slightly stained, and air temperatures were around 28-30 degrees from 2-4pm. I caught a handful of fish on a skinny nelson and one on a rainbow scud.

Any reports on recent outings are appreciated on the message board.