License Required

• Everyone older than 16 years is required to hold a valid Minnesota fishing license. Licenses can be purchased from convenience stores, bait shops, sporting good stores and online. Trout season opens each year April 1. Anglers purchasing a Minnesota fishing license are helping to preserve, protect and enhance the sport of fishing in the state. License fees help pay the cost of habitat development, endangered species protection, fishing education and fishery and hatchery management.
  
  

Flies

• Bright colored flies attract more fish.fishing fly image by Bruce MacQueen from Fotolia.com
  
  Ask a dozen Minnesota anglers about their favorite fly and favorite fishing hole, and you will receive a dozen different answers. Many anglers visit Ely, Minnesota, Quetico and the Boundray Waters to experience outstanding fly-fishing for trophy northern pike, muskie and largemouth and smallmouth bass. The area is world-renowned for its wealth of trophy-sized fish. The most effective flies will vary from summer to winter fishing and from morning hours till dark. Midges or two winged files work well during the winter months when fishing for lake trout. The Zebra midge or Simpleton midge patterns are favorites of many anglers. Brassies in green, copper or red catch a lot of trout, as does the Peeking caddis. Prince Nymphs and Hare's Ears are preferred choices in overcast weather. (Dull flies are suggested in "dull" weather.)
  
  

Fly Fishing Women Of Minnesota

• Enjoying a quiet afternoon fishing.fly fishing image by Brett Bouwer from Fotolia.com
  
  Fly-fishing is a sport for everyone; men, women and children. Female anglers in Minnesota have a fishing organization to promote knowledge of the sport and form friendships and camaraderie.
  
  Fly Fishing Women of Minnesota
  www.mnwomenflyfish.wik.is/
  ffwnmn@gmail.com
  8810 Elgin Place
  Golden Valley, MN 55427
  (763) 639-4887
  
  

Rainbow Trout a Favorite of Fly-Fishermen

• Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), known for its fighting spirit and pink flesh, is a favorite among Minnesota fly-fishermen. Elusive and cautious, the rainbow trout can be tempted to take flies as well as lures and bait. Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) are the easiest trout to land on a fly. They prefer waters that are 68 degrees or cooler. Anglers have fine results when fishing from stream banks in shaded waters. Tasty Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) are found in warmer waters than other trout species. The Brown Trout has taken over many streams formerly inhabited by brook trout. They are wary and normally feed under the cover of darkness.
  
  

Minnesota Fishing

• The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources operates several fish hatcheries with the state. The hatchery at Crystal Springs raises trout to populate and improve fly-fishing in Lake Superior and southeastern Minnesota lakes and streams. The annual trout release across the state exceeds 2.4 million fish as of 2010.
  
  Crystal Springs Hatchery
  14674 County #112
  Altura, MN 55910
  507-796-6691
  
  The State of Minnesota provides updated fishing reports, rules, regulations and the latest information regarding Lake Superior and North Shore trout streams.
  
  Southeast Minnesota Trout Streams
  www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/trout_streams/index.html
  
  Northern Section
  www.files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/trout_streams/ns_fishing_guide01.pdf
  
  Southern Section
  www.files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/trout_streams/ns_fishing_guide02.pdf)
  
  Designated Trout streams and lakes
  www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/arule/6264/0050.html