ASK THE DNR: What is the difference between a steelhead and a rainbow trout?

Q. What is the difference between a steelhead and a rainbow trout?

A. Steelhead are a migratory form of rainbow trout that spend part of their lives in the ocean or Great Lakes and return to spawn in freshwater streams and rivers. Steelhead, first introduced to Lake Superior in 1895, occur naturally along the Pacific Coast. They have become naturalized along Minnesota’s North Shore; the population relies mainly on natural reproduction rather than stocking.

Spring spawning runs in Minnesota have been delayed this year by our long, cold winter, but steelhead are expected to arrive in streams up and down the North Shore by early to mid-May if the weather cooperates.

- Don Schreiner

Schreiner is the DNR’s Lake Superior fisheries supervisor.

Q. What is Minnesota’s tallest tree?

A. A white spruce (Picea glauca) in Koochiching County was last measured in November 2013 at 130 feet. It was a national champion until 2011, when a taller tree was found in another state. Access to the tree, growing on School Trust Fund land, is difficult.

Find more information about big trees in Minnesota at www.mndnr.gov/bigtree .

Got a question?

If you have a question for Talkin’ with Dokken, call (701) 780-1148 or send an email to bdokken@gfherald.com .