Springtime in the Midwest is one of the most dramatic seasonal changes in the country. After six cold, gray months of winter, where both people and wildlife seem to remain sheltered, the sun begins to shine its light on the rolling hills and plains of central U.S. once again, and slowly, the dreary, cold, gray look is overcome by blue skies, and blooming trees which start give the landscape its bright green hue. The vibrant green of summertime in the midwest is something you don’t see much in the dry climates of western U.S. and the beauty of it is often overlooked by people who have been staring at the Rockies for a long time.
Anyway, before I get too far ahead of myself dreaming about summertime, let me get back to spring fishing in the Midwest. For anybody who might be confused by the thought of trout in the Midwest I will give a brief explanation. From Lake Superior in Minnesota all the way around lake Michigan to northeast corner of Michigan state and beyond, there are tributaries to the great lakes that provide an excellent sport fishery for migratory trout and salmon. And springtime means STEELHEAD!! Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Michigan also have many miles of inland streams with resident brook, brown, and rainbow trout. Hailing from the windy city, the Driftless Area of southwest Wisconsin has been the most convenient for me to fish, and with a spring creek about every 10-15 miles from Madison to the Mississippi you can almost always find solitude, which is a huge part of what makes that area special. And the early season for this special place opens in one week for artificial lures and flies only. Though some streams have needed a little help from the DNR to sustain healthy fish populations, in recent years, due to a drastic change in farming practices and catch and release, the natural reproduction has increased! And as a result the Wisconsin DNR has reduced stocking by about 60,000 fish! More info at Wisconsin DNR website. So for anyone who is visiting friends or family in the Chicago area this spring don’t forget to bring your fly rod. Also, check the chicago trout bum link on the sidebar for more great Chi-Town area fishing information.
<>< Anthony Rosati
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