Anglers venturing to southeastern Minnesota for the statewide stream trout opener on Saturday, April 12, will see significant changes in many streams in Winona and northern Houston counties, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

“The adult trout population seemed to weather the floods quite well,” said Steve Klotz, DNR area fisheries manager in Lanesboro. “But anglers will see changes in stream width, pool depth and pool locations.”

Many of the streams and rivers that flow into Lake Superior along the North Shore remain ice covered. Stream flows in the Brainerd area are normal. The flowage in streams farther north is increasing. A complete list of stream conditions is available at www.mndnr.gov.

Klotz said streams that traditionally draw most of the trout anglers on opening weekend in southeastern Minnesota are flowing.

However some popular streams were particularly hard hit by the historic storm on Aug. 18-19, 2007, which dropped 15-plus inches of rain and caused flash floods over a 600-square-mile area of southeastern Minnesota. These include branches of the Whitewater River, Garvin Brook, and Rush Creek.

“Changes are quite noticeable on these streams,” Klotz added. “In extreme cases, there are riffles where there were nice pools and nice pools where there used to be riffles. In places, the stream channel now is on the other side of the floodplain.”

“Anglers who can adapt to the changes will do just fine this weekend,” he said. “If a favorite spot isn’t there anymore, just head a bit farther up or downstream to find another good spot.”

Anglers ages 16-64 must purchase a trout stamp in addition to a fishing license to legally fish for trout.