The National Trout Center, or NTC, is a 501(c)(3), non-profit environmental learning center, incorporated in the State of Minnesota in 2010, and located in the unglaciated region of the midwestern U. S. in Preston, Minnesota. Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, the NTC operates from a temporary home, open to people of all ages and abilities, throughout the traditional stream trout fishing season in Minnesota (mid-April to the end of September), and for program events scheduled at other times during the year.
To serve its mission, the NTC offers courses designed to engage participants in life-long learning about trout and their cold-water habitats, and to instill appreciation of the intrinsic beauty, cultural value, and economic benefits of these natural resources. These subjects are approached through introductory talks, lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on learning where enjoyment of the activity is heightened by physical participation with the subject matter.
National Trout Center Goals
“The National Trout Center seeks to conserve our natural and cultural heritage of trout and their cold-water environments by engaging the public through education, practice and awareness”
The working goals of this organization are:
- To educate people of all ages and abilities about trout biology, ecology and behavior, trout habitat, the conservation and restoration of cold-water stream habitat.
- To promote the arts, cultural heritage and experience of trout fishing and angling in cold-water streams and rivers for people of all ages and abilities.
- To develop and operate a national trout center in the City of Preston, Minnesota, that provides exhibits, research, education and programs focused on trout biology and behavior, trout habitat and cold-water streams.
National Trout Center Mission Statement
The NTC seeks to conserve our natural and cultural heritage of trout and their coldwater environments by engaging the public through education, practice and awareness.
Preston, Minnesota, is in the heart of the four state driftless area and home to one of the country’s most remarkable freshwater resources – with over 600 coldwater limestone spring-fed creeks supporting a world-class trout fishery. Several thousand miles of mineral-rich streams weave across the landscape and represent one of the highest concentrations of the rarest forms of freshwater on Earth. These streams support abundant populations of trout, which in turn, attract tens of thousands of anglers to the region each year.
The National Trout Center convenes hands-on workshops and clinics on stream ecology and the fishing arts. Subjects may include fly casting, knot tying, fly tying, lure making, rod building, nature photography, insect identification and water quality sampling. Visitors to the Center are encouraged to suggest additional topics for workshops.
In addition to coursework, the NTC seeks to become the “go to place” for authoritative information about “All Things Trout”. Whereas the physical location of the NTC in southeastern Minnesota serves to disseminate information about trout and trout fisheries locally and regionally, the NTC also serves a broader national and international audience through this website and other social media resources.
If you are interested in volunteering or employment with the National Trout Center, please select the “employment” topic in the footer of any page on this website for a complete description of current openings. For detailed information about current and future courses and activities, please select the “Educational Programs” tab, “Events” calendar and “News and Information” from our home page. For a summary of the first five years of activities of the National Trout Center, you are welcome to download or read (Adobe Acrobat reader required) the following report. Thank you for visiting our site; we welcome any comments or suggestions you may offer that will help us to better serve our public.