GRANITE FALLS, Minn. — Pioneer PBS’s Prairie Sportsman program will feature ice fishing for rainbow trout and trout hatcheries in southeast Minnesota on its upcoming episode. “Coldwater Trout” will air on Sunday, January 29 at 7:30 p.m. on Pioneer PBS.
The first segment, “Sight Fishing Rainbows” highlights a popular Minnesota winter activity: ice fishing. Minnesota has lakes that offer sight fishing opportunities because of their clear water. Sight fishing gives anglers a unique look at how fish react to bait. Prairie Sportsman Host Bret Amundson joins Fishing Guide Garett Svir for an exciting morning in central Minnesota, sight fishing through a hole in the ice, tempting aggressive rainbow trout into biting.
The next segment, “Spring-fed Hatcheries,” takes viewers on a trip to two coldwater hatcheries in southeast Minnesota. Minnesota’s trout thrive in deep, cold-water lakes in the north and in clear, spring-fed streams in the southeast where groundwater flows through porous limestone. The Minnesota DNR raises trout in cold, clean waters in one location in north-central Minnesota and in three locations in southeast Minnesota. This segment looks at the Lanesboro and Peterson State Fish Hatcheries that raise lake and stream trout in 48-degree spring-fed waters.
Finally, Nicole Zempel talks about the many benefits of cottonwood trees. In a conversation along the Minnesota River, Zempel explains that, despite its bad reputation, the cottonwood has medicinal qualities. The buds contain a chemical compound that is used in aspirin and has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Nicole demonstrates how to make a cottonwood bud salve or balm, which can be used for achy joints, sore muscles, eczema and various skin conditions, and as an expectorant when rubbed on the chest.
People in Pioneer PBS’s viewing area are able to livestream this episode at www.pioneer.org/live on January 29 at 7:30 p.m. “Coldwater Trout” will be repeated on Monday January 30 at 12:30 p.m. and will be available for online viewing at www.pioneer.org/prairiesportsman and on Prairie Sportsman’s YouTube page at www.youtube.com/@PrairieSportsman.
About Prairie Sportsman
Produced by Pioneer PBS, Prairie Sportsman is an Emmy-awarded series that celebrates love of the outdoors by featuring topics on hunting, fishing and recreation, while promoting environmental stewardship. Prairie Sportsman’s team is Dylan Curfman, producer, videographer and editor; Bret Amundson, host and editor; Cindy Dorn, writer and producer; and Dan Amundson, videographer and editor. The 2023 season is made possible by funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Shalom Hill Farm, Live Wide Open, Western Minnesota Prairie Waters and members of Pioneer PBS.
About Pioneer PBS
Pioneer PBS is an award-winning, viewer-supported television station, dedicated to sharing local stories of the region with the world. For more information visit: www.pioneer.org.