By Topf Wells

Justin Haglund, Fish Biologist for Iowa and Richland Counties, and Nate Nye, the Biologist for Sauk and Columbia Counties, just released watershed assessments of particular interest to SWTU. We’ve spent time and money supporting the trout fisheries in both. Results are heartening. Justin’s report is on the trout streams of the Upper East Branch of the Pecatonica River. DNR’s COVID restrictions prevented him from surveying the main stems of the Dodge and East Pec Branches but he reached all the numerous tributaries. Brown trout are faring well in several, most notably the Williams Barneveld Branch. SWTU conducted a workday on the best stretch of the WB last spring with the Nohr Chapter and The Prairie Enthusiasts, who own the land and had restored much of the stream. It’s permanently open to public fishing. He also found strong populations of wild brook trout in several of the headwater tributaries.

Brook trout are the star of the show in Nate’s assessment of the Dell Creek Watershed. You might remember SWTU rallied with the Aldo Leopold TU Chapter, Badger Fly Fishers, State Council, and Groundswell Conservancy to rescue the purchase of 40 acres with a long stretch of double bank frontage on Dell Creek and a tributary. Dell has been managed and stocked for years with the general aim of supporting a fair to middling brown trout fishery. Nate showed that the watershed is tending toward brook trout with several tributaries, most unnamed and never or very rarely surveyed, holding strong populations of wild brook trout, some of whom are finding a happy home in Dell Creek. Nate ends his study with recommendations for changes in regulations, stocking, land and easements purchases, and stream classification to manage the watershed for brook trout.

The assessments are linked above. You can also find them and so MUCH more by Googling WI DNR trout stream assessments or use this link.