What can you do to help native brook trout? Plenty!
Justin discovered that the brook trout need help as part of his assessment of the Pine River. In the course of those surveys, he found the magnificent brown trout in the photo. The Pine is a system worth knowing and fishing – Justin will also discuss that watershed.
Learn all about a “fishy” volunteer opportunity at our Tuesday, October 10, Chapter Meeting
Melancthon Creek is one of the most important brook trout streams in our part of the Driftless Area. The Brookies have genetics that are native to the lower Wisconsin River drainage and are an important source of fish for the DNR’s wild trout management program. This program utilizes eggs from Melancthon Creek (and others) to provide for and maintain Brook Trout populations in the Driftless. The brookies, however are in decline and increasing numbers of brown trout are playing a role.
Justin Haglund, DNR fish biologist for Iowa and Richland Counties, Restorer of Smith Conley Creek, and Protector of Brook Trout, has a plan to protect those char and HE NEEDS OUR HELP.
During late October/early November (date TBD), Justin will collect Brown Trout from Melancthon Creek, PIT tag and clip, and release them downstream in the Pine River. He will cover the uppermost reaches of Melancthon creek over the course of 6 days and needs as many volunteers as SWTU and other conservation organizations can muster for this mammoth effort. (And perhaps catch a mammoth trout like the one Justin is pictured with at right!)
This occurs after the trout season. So if you didn’t catch enough trout this year, here’s your chance. The browns and brookies will be at peak condition. With enough volunteers, the work won’t be that difficult and Justin can rotate folks through the different tasks. We’ll be saving brook trout and boosting an already excellent fishery in the Pine River watershed.
About Justin – He is a fisheries biologist for the Wisconsin DNR stationed in
Dodgeville and part of the southern district fish management team. Justin manages the waters of Iowa and Richland County and has been in this role for approximately 6 years. His primary focus involves managing over 400 miles of classified trout waters, although he also manages a few local impoundments within his territory. Today Justin will be talking with us about the assessment of the Pine River watershed in Richland County and an upcoming trout relocation project on Melancthon Creek.
We hope you can join us to learn more about our native brook trout and this unique volunteer opportunity. The meeting is Tuesday, October 10, at Schwoegler’s Bowling on Grand Canyon Dr. on Madison’s west side. Dinner and drinks will start at 5:30 and presentations will occur about 7.
Schwoegler’s Lanes, 444 Grand Canyon Dr., Madison, WI 53719
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Posted: October 3, 2023 by Drew Kasel
What can you do to help native brook trout? Plenty!
Learn all about a “fishy” volunteer opportunity at our Tuesday, October 10, Chapter Meeting
Melancthon Creek is one of the most important brook trout streams in our part of the Driftless Area. The Brookies have genetics that are native to the lower Wisconsin River drainage and are an important source of fish for the DNR’s wild trout management program. This program utilizes eggs from Melancthon Creek (and others) to provide for and maintain Brook Trout populations in the Driftless. The brookies, however are in decline and increasing numbers of brown trout are playing a role.
Justin Haglund, DNR fish biologist for Iowa and Richland Counties, Restorer of Smith Conley Creek, and Protector of Brook Trout, has a plan to protect those char and HE NEEDS OUR HELP.
During late October/early November (date TBD), Justin will collect Brown Trout from Melancthon Creek, PIT tag and clip, and release them downstream in the Pine River. He will cover the uppermost reaches of Melancthon creek over the course of 6 days and needs as many volunteers as SWTU and other conservation organizations can muster for this mammoth effort. (And perhaps catch a mammoth trout like the one Justin is pictured with at right!)
This occurs after the trout season. So if you didn’t catch enough trout this year, here’s your chance. The browns and brookies will be at peak condition. With enough volunteers, the work won’t be that difficult and Justin can rotate folks through the different tasks. We’ll be saving brook trout and boosting an already excellent fishery in the Pine River watershed.
About Justin – He is a fisheries biologist for the Wisconsin DNR stationed in
Dodgeville and part of the southern district fish management team. Justin manages the waters of Iowa and Richland County and has been in this role for approximately 6 years. His primary focus involves managing over 400 miles of classified trout waters, although he also manages a few local impoundments within his territory. Today Justin will be talking with us about the assessment of the Pine River watershed in Richland County and an upcoming trout relocation project on Melancthon Creek.
We hope you can join us to learn more about our native brook trout and this unique volunteer opportunity. The meeting is Tuesday, October 10, at Schwoegler’s Bowling on Grand Canyon Dr. on Madison’s west side. Dinner and drinks will start at 5:30 and presentations will occur about 7.
Schwoegler’s Lanes, 444 Grand Canyon Dr., Madison, WI 53719
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