You've got a fish in your hand, but which fish?
Under state regulation, harvest of wild Steelhead in Minnesota’s portion of Lake Superior is illegal, it is a catch and release only fishery.
Minnesota Sea Grant and partners created the “Know the fish. Know the regs” decal to be a handy visual aid for anglers so they can tell the difference between Steelhead and Salmon when they have a fish in their hands!
What are Steelhead and why are they important?
Steelhead are a migratory form of Rainbow Trout that are native to the Pacific Ocean. They were first introduced into the Minnesota waters of Lake Superior in 1895. The species has become naturalized (self-sustaining) and supports an important and highly popular recreational fishery, especially in the spring when Steelhead migrate from Lake Super up North Shore streams to spawn.
Under state regulation, harvest of wild Steelhead in Minnesota’s portion of Lake Superior is presently illegal, it is a catch and release only fishery. Wild Steelhead can be identified by having an intact adipose fin, the small fleshy fin just behind the dorsal fin. The catch and release regulation was implemented in 1997 to protect wild Steelhead and allow them to spawn in an attempt to increase their abundance. The regulation has been successful in stopping the decline of Steelhead and increasing abundance over the pre-regulation period in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Average size of steelhead has also increased and anglers are generally happy with the results of the regulation. Presently the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources produces some Steelhead in their hatchery system that once stocked into Lake Superior are allowed to be harvested. Hatchery reared Steelhead can be identified by having the adipose fin removed, and up to three can be harvested with a minimum size of 16 inches.
What have we done lately?
The project was launched as a pilot in the spring of 2022. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources creel survey clerks and North Shore conservation officers distributed decals to interested Lake Superior anglers. More decals were printed and distributed in 2023. After using the decals a number of anglers requested that MNSG make them available in a digital format for loading onto their cell phones. Over the winter of 2024 MNSG Fisheries and Communications staff worked with Joseph Tomelleri to obtain permission for use of his illustrations in a digital format and designed the web page you are currently reading that can also be viewed on a cell phone. We plan to survey anglers about the usefulness of the decal and if responses are positive, potentially develop other similar tools in the future.
Order a Steelhead-Salmon identification decal
Digital Decal: Steelhead or Salmon? Which Did You Catch?
Download the decal image to your phone or computer's photo files.
Hard Copy Decal: Order form
Anglers ordering a decal will be required to supply their contact information and agree to complete a very short, five minute survey at the end of the angling season. The survey will provide MNSG input on the value of the decal and determine if there is any interest in similar identification tools for other Lake Superior fish species. Decals are relatively expensive to produce and supplies are limited so please only request a decal if you actively fish Lake Superior and/or tributary streams or are interested in posting the decal as an educational resource. Only one decal per person and first come first served.
Project description
Project description
Steelhead look very similar to other Pacific Salmon that inhabit Lake Superior when not in spawning condition. Many Lake Superior anglers are often not knowledgeable about the nuances of Pacific Salmon identification.
The regulation for Steelhead on Lake Superior is catch and release only. This regulation has resulted in the successful rebuilding of over-exploited stocks of wild Steelhead.
Our goal is that anglers become more aware of the fish species they are harvesting. Anglers must often identify the fish quickly in the short time period between catch and release.
A simple, easy to use guide that is readily available while on the water is one way to protect wild steelhead from unintended and/or illegal harvest.
The goal of this project was to create an educational tool that provides a pictorial reference for Steelhead identification that anglers can use while on the water with a fish in hand. The tool will allow anglers to make a quick and accurate decision about Steelhead and salmon identification. The decal can be attached to a boat, tackle box, lunch box, backpack, or any other surface so it is readily available to the angler while on the lake or stream.
Why Minnesota Sea Grant?
Minnesota Sea Grant professionals specialize in research, extension, education, and communications. One of our four national focus areas is Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (SFA). Within SFA, one of MNSG's objectives is to “ ... provide the best available science, services, data and tools to resource managers, fishing communities, and aquaculture producers and consumers.”
This project directly supports the SFA focus area, Sea Grant's expertise in research, extension, education, and communications to “ ... provide learners of all ages with formal and non-formal resources and learning opportunities to help them make informed choices that support sustainable coastal and riparian ecosystems, communities, and economies.”
The educational decal developed in this project educates and informs anglers on the differences between Steelhead and salmon. The project also increases awareness by anglers of Minnesota Sea Grant’s role in protecting the fisheries in Lake Superior.
Participants and Audience
Minnesota Sea Grant received positive comments on the usefulness of the decal from stream anglers, boat anglers, fisheries managers and conservation officers during our 2022 pilot project period.
Educating anglers about the difference between Steelhead and salmon is critical to sustaining wild Steelhead stocks. MNSG anticipates the decal will help prevent unintentional and/or illegal harvest by educating and informing anglers about Lake Superior fishery resources.
Funding
Funding for this project came from the Minnesota Sea Grant Communications Omnibus funds.
What have we done lately?
The project was launched as a pilot in the spring of 2022. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources creel survey clerks and North Shore conservation officers distributed decals to interested Lake Superior anglers. More decals were printed and distributed in 2023. After using the decals a number of anglers requested that MNSG make them available in a digital format for loading onto their cell phones. Over the winter of 2024 MNSG Fisheries and Communications staff worked with Joseph Tomelleri to obtain permission for use of his illustrations in a digital format and designed the web page you are currently reading that can also be viewed on a cell phone. We plan to survey anglers about the usefulness of the decal and if responses are positive, potentially develop other similar tools in the future.
Program Staff
Program News
Just in time for the spring fishing season, Minnesota Sea Grant created a new educational tool to assist Lake Superior anglers in the identification of Steelhead when compared to salmon.