Whitecaps were abundant and the water was murky.

“Not ideal conditions. It’s tougher on small fish, but we stocked lots of adult fish. They can hid behind riprap (rock used to protect shoreline from water, wave and ice erosion) and big rocks,” said Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Hutchinson Area Fisheries Supervisor Scott Mackenthun.

“It’s a good opportunity for people to fish,” Mackenthun said.

He and DNR staff stocked trout at Ramsey Park in Redwood Falls and in a county park upstream of Ramsey. They stocked trout at Spring Creek, a few miles southeast of Fort Ridgely State Park, after stocking Fort Ridgely.

A net full of trout used to stock Fort Ridgely Creek is shown.

Fort Ridgely State Park Ranger Arlynn Boddy said a number of trout fishing enthusiasts are expected to fish at the park this weekend.

“They like coming and fishing from their favorite spots,” Boddy said.

Another DNR unit stocked Seven-Mile Creek with trout near St. Peter Thursday.

Minnesota’s trout season opens Saturday, April 15. Fishing licenses are required if you’re age 16 or older. Annual licenses allow you to fish from March 1 to the last day of February the following year.

There is an added cost to fish for trout, salmon or sturgeon. Lower-cost licenses are available for shorter time periods.

To qualify for a resident fishing license you must:

• Have established a legal residence in Minnesota for at least the past 60 consecutive days.

• If 21 or older, possess a current Minnesota driver’s license, state-issued identification card or have a receipt for an application for a driver’s license or state ID that is at last 60 days old.

• Be at least age 16.

All non-residents, regardless of age, must buy a fishing license.

Online license purchases should be made only on the DNR website (www.dnr.state.mn/us/.

Licenses can be purchased by phone at 1-888-665-4236 (1-MN-LICENSE), or at approved vendors across the state. A list is available at www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/agents.html/licenses/agents.html).

Anyone who suspects they were a victim of fraud in an online license purchase using a credit card, contact the card issuer immediately. You may also contact your local law enforcement agency.

The Minnesota walleye, sauger and northern pike fishing opener is Saturday, May 13.