New DNR initiative aims to conserve Wisconsin’s brook trout populations

WISCONSIN – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) this week announced the implementation of the Brook Trout Reserves program, a new initiative to protect Wisconsin’s native brook trout populations from changing environmental conditions.

In a release, DNR said cold water streams provide the ideal habitat for native brook trout.

“Wisconsin has an estimated 22,000 miles of cold water stream habitat suitable for brook trout to call home,” DNR stated. “However, with warming stream temperatures, it’s projected that in 30 years, two out of every three miles of this habitat will become too warm to support brook trout.”

To help combat this problem, DNR fisheries biologists have used survey and environmental data to identify cold water streams in 205 subwatersheds that are the most likely to persist in the face of climate change.

DNR said each subwatershed within the Brook Trout Reserves contains:

• Self-sustaining brook trout populations.
• Above-average brook trout abundance, exceeding that of nonnative trout and salmon.
• Limited or no brown trout stocking.
• More than two stream miles of brook trout habitat are projected to remain by 2050.

To learn more about the Brook Trout Reserves, visit the DNR’s StoryMap and the Brook Trout Reserves webpage.

How to get involved

There are many ways to get involved in this program, whether you're a landowner, angler or outdoor enthusiast, according to DNR.

Members of the public can help protect our brook trout populations by:

• Enrolling your property in the DNR’s Streambank Easement Program.
• Volunteering to help resource managers with forest and fish habitat management projects.
• Planting trees along stream corridors to restore shade and keep streams cold.
• Implementing healthy land use practices in these watersheds.
• Identifying and fixing steam crossing impairments associated with roads.
• Joining local conservation or watershed groups.

To become involved in brook trout habitat projects in your area, contact your local fisheries biologist.