Koochiching County will partner with St. Louis County in an effort to gain funding to restore area trout fisheries.

Koochiching County commissioners Tuesday agreed to provide $2,500, contingent on St. Louis County committing the same amount.

The county money will be used as a local match for a $50,000 grant sought from the state Conservation Partners Legacy grant program.

Avid and veteran trout angler Julian Brzoznowski and Department of Natural Resources Area Fisheries Supervisor Kevin Peterson met with the county board Tuesday to discuss the project and grant application.

Brzoznowski told the board that years ago the Lost River near Townline Road; Gillmore Creek near Elephant Lake; Fawn Creek near by the Sheep Ranch Road; and Kinmont Creek by Arbutis in western St. Louis County were all excellent trout streams.

However, he said, the water flow of the spring-fed, designated trout streams has stagnated as a result of beaver dams causing the trout population to degrade.

Peterson said DNR staff have surveyed Kinmont Creek and identified the springs, but noted that 30 beaver dams have plugged the creek.

While Peterson said he likes beaver and is a beaver trapper, “beaver and trout don’t get along well together.”

Peterson said the DNR staff have collected data, developed a management plan for the creek and listed it as a potential project.

The CPL grant program is the same program helping to fund the Rat Root River restoration project, said Peterson.

Similar to the Rat Root project, Peterson said the DNR would provide technical support and see that any grant money is spent in ways to benefit the resource.

While Peterson said the DNR has not received additional money for the project, it would fund its activities related to the project through its operating budget.

Brzoznowski said private contributions from businesses and others interested have brought in about $1,000 for the trout project.

Commissioner Wade Pavleck said the collaboration between the two counties is beneficial when seeking state grants and said he views the project as an economic development opportunity that could be marketed by area businesses.

Funding for the CPL grant program is from the Outdoor Heritage Fund, one of four funds created by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment approved by voters in 2008, which increased sales and use tax rates by three-eighths of one percent. Thirty-three percent of that increase is to spent to enhance, restore, or protect the forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, or wildlife in Minnesota.

The CPL program was recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council and approved by the Minnesota Legislature annually since 2009.

The Minnesota DNR manages the program to provide competitive grants from $5,000 to $400,000 to local, regional, state, and national nonprofit organizations, including government entities.