Minnesota locations by number???

The DNR web site has a listing of designated trout streams. Some of the streams are not named, and some that are named are not given names on most maps. The locations of streams are only given by County name, Township numbers, Range numbers, and Section numbers. Anybody know how to determine location from those numbers?

What you are asking about is known as the U.S. Public Land System or the Rectangular Survey System. This is a method of land description used to describe over half the land in the United States. All angles in this system are set using true directions, i.e. true north, south, east or west.

From these starting points, the county is divided into 6-mile by 6-mile square townships. The townships are then further divided into 36 sections, each being one mile square and containing 640 acres. The sections are numbered beginning in the northeast corner and ending in the southeast, moving section by section from right to left then left to right in an alternating sequence. The sections are then divided into rectangular pieces maintaining a common square.

Now that I have you thoroughly confused, try this website to see if it helps explain what I just told you: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/instruct/isern/103/land.htm

I would recommend a google search using the query: U.S. Public Land System or Rectangular Survey System. You will get a number of urls which will provide graphics to help explain the system.

You can also pick up an Atlas and Plat Book of any county and in the front of the book will be an explanation of the land description system. The plat books are nice to determine who owns the property you are looking at. If you need access you now know who to call.

Hey Small fly – One other way to find your trout streams. The DNR publishes maps called Public Recreation Information Maps (PRIM). These maps have all the trout streams marked on them and they also show the Township, Range and Section Numbers. The PRIM maps are exactly what you are looking for. PRIM maps are great for hunting and fishing information. You can order them from the MN DNR Information Center: Telephone: 651-296-6157 or Outstate Toll Free: 1-800-MINNDNR. They cost about $5 each. Money well spent!!

Steve…have I mentioned lately that you really know your maps? I mean…really!

CA and I still talk about those nifty arial photo maps of the Croix. Awesome!

Thanks for all the info. There are a few streams “designated” as trout streams that aren’t near the areas known for their trout (SW and northern MN). If they actually have fishable populations it could cut my travel time to the closest trout down from 3 hours to less than 1…

I’m not sure where you live but the Mora PRIM and the Sandstone PRIM show some interesting trout streams in the Pine City and Hinckley areas that I have been wanting to fish. The PRIM maps legends on the back tell you the type of trout in the waters, how much of the stream is fishable and gives a telephone number for specific information.

I live in dickinson county, Iowa. Have been driving 3 hours to NE Iowa for my trout fix. According the the MN DNR website there are several streams designated as trout streams west of I35. Maybe I’ll have to get a PRIM map for those areas.

There are 3 PRIM maps across the bottom tier of MN that are west of I35. They are designated: Worthington; Fairmont; and Albert Lea. I don’t have any of those PRIM maps so I am not sure if they list any trout streams. The telephone number for the MN DNR fisheries office for the south region is: (507) 359-6000. They should be able to help you pinpoint fishable trout water in their region. Good Luck!