Driftless Area Conservation Efforts Boost Trout Fisheries

Mar 23, 2026 https://www.tu.org/magazine

A new interactive map showcases conservation successes and future priorities in the Driftless Area, a 24,000-square-mile landscape spanning portions of Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois. The region's unique geography and diverse aquatic ecosystems support nationally significant trout fisheries. Conservation partners are working together to restore and reconnect streams, improve water quality, and strengthen watershed health, addressing challenges such as habitat degradation and climate change.