Following are images we have collected over the last few years during our electrofishing assessments. Spring assessments are conducted during the last two weeks of March and the first two weeks of April. Fall assessments are conducted during the last two weeks of September and the first two weeks of October. These assessments are how we monitor the trout populations of southeast Minnesota.
Below is a photo of two brook trout. The one at the bottom of the photo is a male and the one at the top of the photo is a female. Note the slight color difference and the larger slightly hooked jaw of the male.
Male brook trout develop intense coloration in late fall during their spawning time as seen below.
This 21" brown trout is from a southern Houston County stream.
This 22" male brown trout is from a western Fillmore County stream.
Here is a photo of that fish being released. Note the live boxes we use to hold fish in the stream while we measure and weigh them.
Brown trout can be extremely colorful during fall spawning. This fish was in the North Branch Whitewater River.
This fish was collected in the same assessment as the brown above.
Another brown trout from the North Branch Whitewater River.
This large male brown trout has been collected in three consecutive spring assessments. This year he was 22".
A Cold Spring Brook brown trout.
Another brown trout from Cold Spring Brook. Note the difference in coloration from the one above.
This large brown came from a western Fillmore County stream. He was 21.7".
Here is another photo of his head and large hooked jaw typical of large male brown trout.
The photo below is of a hatchery raised rainbow trout in Winnebago Creek collected in the spring.
Tiger trout are relatively rare in southeast Minnesota. They are a cross between a brown and brook trout.
Below is another photo of a young tiger trout collected in a Winona County stream.