With the statewide trout season opening next Tuesday, April 1, the next few days will be critical in determining what anglers will encounter when they hit their favorite trout stream. The month of March has been running 10 to 15 degrees below normal and that would usuallly mean stream levels will be lower and fishable. The zinger is that we've had a lrage amount of rain fall this month, which has kept water levels high, despite the colder temperatures.

The latest extended weather forecasts are indicating our temperatures are supposed to rise, at least reaching near or slightly above normal for the date. If those hold true, opening day just might be bearable, while stream levels may be near normal for this early in the season unless the rainy pattern hangs on. However, like most opening days, stream water temperatures are apt to be cold regardless of the water level, making the trout lethargic.