Trout Unlimited - Minnesota

Mission

Minnesota Trout Unlimited works to conserve, protect and restore coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. Clean water and healthy aquatic systems are essential for sustaining trout populations. The presence of trout is thus a strong indicator of a healthy aquatic ecosystem.

Minnesota Trout Unlimited (“MNTU”) coordinates the advocacy, education and habitat restoration efforts of our 7 local chapters throughout the state. These volunteer chapters are the "watchdogs" of local streams, rivers and lakes, including Lake Superior. MNTU helps chapters and members implement stream habitat restoration projects, monitor legislation, and advocate for clean water and "fish friendly" policies with federal, state and local officials.

Programs

Programs include habitat restoration projects, advocacy, education, and outreach to youth and veterans. MNTU focuses the attention of state, local and federal policy makers on the needs of trout, steelhead and salmon and the watersheds which support them.

For decades our members and chapters have completed habitat restoration and enhancement projects around Minnesota, from Arrowhead trout lakes and North Shore streams to the Straight River in central MN to Driftless area spring creeks in Southeast Minnesota.

We have been at the forefront of efforts to protect and restore Lake Superior and North Shore watersheds. We continue to strongly advocate for adequate regulation of ballast water discharges from Great Lakes vessels to prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species into Lake Superior and Minnesota waters. We continue to champion coaster brook trout restoration efforts, wild steelhead rehabilitation and restoration of Lake Superior’s native lake trout fishery. Habitat enhancement projects have been completed or are planned on the Sucker River, Knife River, Manitou River and other North Shore rivers.

Because clean water and good land use practices are essential to sustaining trout fisheries and their watersheds, MNTU educates and vigorously advocates on the potential threats posed by poor forest management practices, sulfide mining, extensive groundwater use and contamination, mining of silica sand in Southeast MN, poor farming practices, and many other threats. Minnesota Trout Unlimited is a very active member of the Minnesota Environmental Partnership, the Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Alliance, and numerous other partnerships with conservation, sporting and environmental organizations.

Our national parent organization conducts valuable scientific and economic research to foster more enlightened trout and salmon management practices, lobbies to strengthen environmental legislation like the Clean Water Act and provides a voice for over 140,000 members. Minnesota Trout Unlimited supports these efforts, especially by working with Minnesota’s congressional delegation.