DNR: State's best trout waters remain free of ice

MADISON - With statewide temperatures projected to remain below freezing through the first week in March, the 2015 Wisconsin early trout season may be on the chilly side.

The good news, state fisheries biologists say, is that many of the state's top trout waters feature strong groundwater flows and stay free of ice. So, the trout will be there waiting if anglers can gear up properly to manage the cold.

The early inland catch and release trout season runs on selected waters from 5 a.m. on the first Saturday in March (March 7, 2015) through the Sunday preceding the first Saturday in May (April 26, 2015). The regular inland trout season runs from May 2, 2015 to Sept. 30, 2015.

Most trout streams are open to early fishing with the exception of tributaries to Lake Superior and most streams in northeastern Wisconsin; check the current trout fishing regulation pamphlet for specific waters. Anglers are required to use artificial lures and flies; barbless hooks are not required.

Jordan Weeks, Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist in La Crosse, says stream surveys in West Central Wisconsin during 2014 turned up some good news for anglers this spring. Anglers fishing Crawford County trout streams should experience great fishing in 2015 thanks to two good years of natural reproduction.

"Our surveys found good trout populations were in Plum, Rush, Copper, Tainter and Sugar creeks," Weeks said. "Anglers looking for trophy trout should start looking in all of the aforementioned streams and the Kickapoo River."

In La Crosse County, anglers looking for some action may want to try Mormon Coulee, Dutch and Burns creeks. Anglers seeking brook trout should try John's Coulee, Pammel Creek, Garbers Coulee and Chipmunk Coulee.

Monroe County anglers have several hotspots to try in 2010. Weeks says DNR surveys at 25 sites on 10 streams show trout are present in good numbers with excellent average size. Anglers looking for action may want to visit the Little La Crosse River while those looking for a whopper should concentrate on the La Crosse and Kickapoo Rivers.

Wisconsinoutdoorfun.com: Read more about trout fishing from Len Harris

Many Vernon County streams also show high trout populations. Surveys at 35 sites on 10 streams indicate that anglers looking to catch trout should find a great return on their investment of time, says Weeks. Good starting places for quality fish are Bishop Branch Creek, the north and south forks of the Bad Axe River, Timber Coulee Creek, Springville Branch Creek, Elk, and Spring Coulee Creeks. For a chance at a trophy, head to the Kickapoo River, or the Bad Axe River.

In northwestern Wisconsin, "cold weather up to the opener should provide cold but clear water conditions," said Marty Engel, DNR fisheries biologist in Baldwin. "The Kinnickinnic and Rush rivers in Pierce and St. Croix counties will remain the most popular early season streams in the area. Anglers can expect lower trout densities but better quality size fish in the 2015 season."

In addition to strong natural reproduction that is occurring in many rivers and streams statewide, habitat improvements in recent years are contributing to increased survival and larger fish, the experts say.

Luke Roffler, DNR fisheries biologist for Racine, Kenosha and Walworth counties, says the Bluff Creek/Whitewater Creek system in Walworth County received a major facelift over a decade ago when the first habitat structures were installed to begin restoring a home for brown trout and the forage species they depend on. Today, the system supports reaches of Class 1 trout fishing, natural reproduction and brown trout up to 19 inches.

"This winter, the habitat improvements have continued in the system, including more than 670 feet of stream restoration on the Bluff Creek and Whitewater system," Roffler said.

Wisconsinoutdoorfun.com: More fishing news from around the state

Given the expected cold start to the season, anglers should target their time on the water to the warmest part of the day, typically from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., says Heath Benike, fisheries operations supervisor in Black River Falls.

"This slight warm period each day is just enough to increase stream drift and the trout will respond with more feeding activity," Benike said. "As the season progresses into mid to late April, this window is expanded and trout will be active for longer time periods during the day. After spring run-off has occurred and the water temperatures start increasing, some of the largest trout landed each year are caught."

Benike suggests anglers should try using midge, mayfly and scud imitations during the early season; spinners and lures are likely to be productive in mid-to-late April after spring run-off has occurred.

To learn more about Wisconsin's early catch and release trout season, search the DNR website for 'trout fishing regulations.' To find out where to fish, including DNR publicly owned lands, easements on private lands allowing for public access and trout stream classifications, search for 'public access lands.'

For more information contact Marty Engel, DNR fisheries biologist in Baldwin, 715-684-2914, marty.engel@wisconsin.gov; Jordan Weeks, DNR fisheries biologist in La Crosse, 608-785-9002, jordan.weeks@wisconsin.gov; Luke Roffler, DNR fisheries biologist in Sturtevant, 262-822-8164, luke.roffler@Wisconsin.gov; Heath Benike, fisheries operations supervisor in Black River Falls, (715) 284-1447, heath.benike@wisconsin.gov; Jennifer Sereno, DNR communications, jennifer.sereno@wisconsin.gov, 608-770-8084