Submitted by 7WTDTF on Sat, 2016-04-23 17:04 Groups audience The Front Porch Wisconsin Trout & Fly fishing Vote Up Down +5 + 005.jpg Wisconsin is recognized for its abundance of coldwater streams, which includes or 10,000 miles of classified (see classifications below) trout streams that provides fisheries for both Brook, and Brown trout. Now I hesitate to mention this but suppose I should to be fair to both sides of this discussion…“Climate Change” is it now, or will it in the future be detrimental to our coldwater fisheries… there has been a great deal writing pro/con as it pertains to this subject, the bantering back and forth has been on going for more than two decade now. I leave it to you to decide although; I would be very interested in your thoughts on this subject. I would just mention from my standpoint as it pertains to climate change…I have been keeping fishing logs for well over twenty years now, documenting water temps at various times / dates through-out the season, aquatic hatches, and wild flowers in bloom along my favorite stretches of water…Let me just say the future of Wisconsin’s coldwater “Trout” fishery in my estimation is in pretty good shape, and with the help of local TU chapters, as well as WIDNR agencies we will certainly sustain these multiple species of trout or all fish for that matter for many years to come… Trout stream classifications The DNR uses three categories to classify the different types of trout streams throughout Wisconsin. These classifications are as follows: Class I High quality trout waters that have sufficient natural reproduction to sustain populations of wild trout, at or near carry capacity. Consequently, streams in this category require no stocking of hatchery trout. These streams or stream sections are often small and may contain small or slow-growing trout, especially in the headwaters. There are 5,289 miles of Class 1 trout streams in Wisconsin and they comprise 40% of Wisconsin's total trout stream mileage. Class II Streams in this classification may have some natural reproduction, but not enough to utilize available food and space. Therefore, stocking is required to maintain a desirable sport fishery. These streams have good survival and carryover of adult trout, often producing some fish larger than average size. There are 6,126 miles of Class 2 trout streams in Wisconsin and they comprise 46% of Wisconsin's total trout stream mileage. Class III These waters are marginal trout habitat with no natural reproduction occurring. They require annual stocking of trout to provide trout fishing. Generally, there is no carryover of trout from one year to the next. There are 1,817 miles of Class 3 trout streams in Wisconsin and they comprise 14% of Wisconsin's total trout stream mileage.