he southeast is laced with small, spring-fed creeks that course through deep valleys beneath timbered ridges and limestone bluffs. Though relatively small, these productive waters support a surprising abundance of trout.

Throughout southeastern Minnesota, anglers can find public access to almost every trout stream. Some streams flow through public parks and forests. Along others, the DNR has purchased access easements from landowners. In addition to allowing anglers to reach these stream segments, the easements allow the DNR to improve trout habitat on productive streams.

The DNR collects spawn from long-existing wild brook trout populations to develop hatchery stock that produces  brookies for reintroductions. The DNR continues to stock rainbow trout and brown trout in the southeast, too, but planting policies have changed over the years. Catchable-sized (11-inch) rainbow trout are stocked in some waters, but more often brown trout fingerlings (2 inches) are used so the fish have time to grow a bit warier before anglers try their luck. Streams that have sufficient natural production are not stocked.