Kasey Yallaly, Senior Fisheries Biologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Brown trout population characteristics have changed drastically in the Driftless Area within the past several decades. In general, brown trout populations have increased in density while size structure has declined in many streams. Management of the species through actions including stocking, regulations changes, and habitat improvements have influenced these changes, but adaptive management strategies are necessary to successfully achieve management goals. Therefore, future regulation changes are proposed with the goal of reducing densities and improving size structure but changes in angler attitudes and perceptions of harvesting trout are needed to achieve these goals.