MISSION

The mission of the Minnesota Trout Association is to preserve,

improve and promote trout

fishing for sport in Minnesota.

PHILOSOPHY

* MTA supports a fish management concept which has the goal of providing optimum sustained yield in all trout waters of the state.

* MTA recognizes that almost all trout populations in Minnesota have originated from hatchery stocks and therefore are classified as a renewable resource.

*MTA is convinced that most anglers "Fish For Fun" regardless of the angling method used or whether they eat or release the fish.

*MTA knows that gathering bait, creating arificial lures and eating of fish are extensions of the angling experience.

* MTA wants all law abiding cirizens to have free access to fish in all public trout waters in Minnesota

APPROACH TO FISH MANAGEMENT

*MTA realizes that trout habitat protection, habitat improvement and sound conservation-minded angling regulations are the main keys to good trout fishing.

*MTA encourages wild trout management in waters which consistently have good natural reproduction.

* MTA desires trout stocking programs which provide additional good quality fishing opportunitiesin suitablewaters that lack adequate natural reproduction

* MTA promotes trout management practices which encourage family type fishing, recognizing that not all anglers can afford to buy or effectively use artificial lures and equipment.

* MTA recommends that anglers should voluntarily release part of their catch especially trout larger than 12 inches to benefit natural reproduction.

PRINT AND SEND THIS FORM AND JOIN MTA IN THE EFFORTS TO PRESERVE QUALITY TROUT FISHING IN MINNESOTA

Membership includes a windshield decal, membership card and five newsletters per year. The newsletter is written by Mel Haugstad, a former fisheries professional who worked 33 years for the MN DNR, first serving as a fisheries biologist doing coldwater research statewide in Minnesota and later for 20 years as the fisheries manager in charge of managing the fisheries resources in SE MN south of Interstate # 90. He was the original author of Guidelines to Trout Fishing in East- Central Minnesota (1968-1969) and Trout Streams in Southeast Minnesota (1971). His newsletter, The Trout Communicator, provides various fishing information on SE MN trout fisheries.