Some trout stream regulations are "special"
in that they are tailored to individual trout streams. These regulations
can also reduce the number of fish anglers can take home. Some stretches
of stream, in fact, may be designated "catch-and-release," or
"no-kill," areas. In other sections, "slot limits"
may be used to protect a certain size of fish (a slot of 12 to 16 inches,
for example). Thus, regulations can manipulate trout populations to produce
fewer small trout and more trophies. Slot limits also can allow anglers
to keep small fish and a few very large fish while protecting faster-growing
intermediate sizes.Many anglers practice catch-and-release even when regulations don't
require it. They reason, as one well-known fisherman remarked, that a large
trout is too valuable to be caught only once. Trophy-sized trout can be
caught and enjoyed again and again by different anglers. Catch-and-release,
special regulations and the move to a wild-trout fishery in some streams
has done more than just improve fishing. Eliminating the stocking of some
streams has saved money. Wild-trout management also has led to a healthier
fishery-one that can maintain itself, even during times of neglect or tight
money.Despite success with wild-trout fisheries and catch-and-release angling,
there have been failures as well. Some streams are too infertile to produce
large trout no matter how long they remain in the stream. In these instances,
catch-and-release may have little effect. In other cases, a slot limit
of the wrong sizes has put too much pressure on small fish, leaving too
few to grow large and produce an acceptable number of trophies. Because
of differences in the physical characteristics of streams, the results
on one river cannot be simply transferred to another.The success of any program depends first on setting clear, realistic
objectives (for example, increasing the number of trout larger than 13
inches). Then, regulations must be carefully tailored to the stream on
which they will be applied. Finally, the stream must be surveyed by electro
fishing or creel censuses to determine if the regulations are working as
planned.Minnesota has moved toward wild-trout-management on several streams
on the North Shore and in the southeast, which depend solely on natural
reproduction. The DNR has begun experimenting with catch-and-release regulations
and various slot limits on a few selected streams to improve the quality
of Minnesota's stream-trout fishing and to offer anglers another fishing
alternative. Nonetheless, wild trout and restrictive regulations will only
be a part of the state's diverse approach to trout management. The trout-stocking
program will continue to be important to Minnesota's fisheries management.
The program will provide trout in marginal waters and give anglers, who
don't care about the thrill of catching a wild trout, a chance to take
home a trout.
