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18th Annual Driftless Symposium draws robust crowd
More than 115 participants recently connected at the Stoney Creek Lodge in Onalaska, Wisc., for the 18th annual Driftless Area Symposium.. Held in late February, the event featured presentations on a wide variety of topics, including trout genetics, stocking activities, stream restoration permitting, outreach strategies, beavers, springs and more. There were more than 30 presenters, including nine students who shared their research activities. The event…
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New StoryMap Showcases Conservation Successes and Future Priorities in the Driftless Area
Several great apps can help anglers navigate to primo fishing spots in the Driftless area. Now, a new interactive ArcGIS StoryMap adds another layer of information, showcasing where Trout Unlimited’s collaboration with the National Fish Habitat Partnership is creating conservation successes across the region and making fishing even better. The Driftless Area Restoration Effort (TU DARE) is a long-running collaborative initiative focused on restoring coldwater streams, improving fish habitat, and strengthening watershed…
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Teamwork Leads to Dreamwork on Wilson Creek in Dunn County
Sometimes the right place and the right people come together at exactly the right time to create a stream restoration project that is truly remarkable. The place is 7200 feet of the North Branch of Wilson Creek in Dunn County, Wisc., on the properties of Bill Manwarren and Josh Edhlund. Wilson Creek, like many Driftless streams, was straightened on these properties to increase land available for agriculture and to improve efficiency with large…
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Capital Culverts: The Road Stream Crossings of Dane County, Wisc.
This summer, Trout Unlimited employed two seasonal technicians to collect culvert and bridge inventory data in Dane County, Wisc. This inventory is part of our larger effort to better understand the extent of habitat fragmentation across the Driftless Area and ensure that we have sufficient information about outdated infrastructure to have ready solutions when it…
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The Trout and I Both Need a Break
I get a pretty serious case of the blues after the end of the Wisconsin trout season. The past few years warm weather has lasted well into October, and late season terrestrial fishing has been epic. So, I end the season in a kind of manic flurry because the fishing is great and the sand is falling through the hourglass. When the end comes, it comes hard,…
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Winter Fishing Tips and Best Practices for Trout After Spawn
By Cameron Akers Where legal, winter can be a great time to get on the water, if you’re adequately prepared. Trout are hungry after spawning, but low, clear water can make them a challenge. First and foremost, if you see a redd, which is a trout’s nest, stay off it! Redds are areas, typically near riffles, that trout clear out to lay their eggs. These eggs can…
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Landowner “Lunch and Learn” highlights Driftless stream restoration
Without willing, conservation-minded landowners, very few stream restoration projects would happen in the Driftless Area. Over 90% of Driftless trout streams flow through private land, so building relationships and educating landowners about the benefits of stream restoration are critical first steps in assuring that stream restoration work will continue. With this reality in mind,…
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