Ike's Creek and its Connection to Our Chapter
Ike’s Creek is a small, groundwater-fed trout stream located near the Bass Ponds in the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in east Bloomington. It is notable for being the only trout stream in Hennepin County and one of the few streams in the Twin Cities metropolitan area that provides suitable habitat for brook trout. Despite its location in a highly developed urban area, Ike’s Creek supports a unique aquatic ecosystem and serves as an important example of habitat conservation and stream restoration.
The surrounding area has an interesting history: In 1926, the the Izaak Walton League established the Bass Ponds as a bass-rearing and stocking facility to replenish lakes in the Twin Cities that had been depleted by fishing. The ponds continued to serve this purpose from the mid-1920s through the 1950s. Today, the site is part of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
Ike’s Creek, named for the area's connection to the Izaak Walton League and the involvement of local chapters (like our very own Bush Lake Chapter,) was discovered in 2006, and 1,450 young brook trout were introduced in 2007. Some survived and reproduced naturally. However, the creek has faced challenges, including erosion, stormwater runoff, invasive species, and elevated chloride levels associated with human activities. Restoration efforts have included improving stream habitat, removing barriers to fish movement, controlling invasive species, and restoring vegetation.
A major restoration project was completed in April 2026 through partnerships involving the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Trout Unlimited, and the City of Bloomington. Ike’s Creek demonstrates how conservation partnerships can restore wildlife habitat in urban areas.
Sources:
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service — The Journey of Ike’s Creek
- Lower Minnesota River Watershed District — Ike’s Creek
- Bass Ponds Site history, City of Bloomington
Photo credit: Photo credit: Amelia McDermott/usfws
