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I'm just curious if the Blue Ribbon Trout Stream designation has any specific meaning. Are there criteria that must be met for a stream to achieve designation? If so, what or who evaluates a steam to verify that it meets those criteria? I keep seeing this or that stream touted as being a Blue Ribbon Trout Stream but I don't know if that means something beyond a lot of people thinking it's a good place for trout.
There is no unified standard. States set these designations. As with most game laws, they have always been considered in the domain of the individual states. The only exceptions are migratory game animals (mostly birds), raptors, and threatened/endangered species.
In MO, Blue/Red/White designations for trout streams are purely management tools. Blue is the most restrictive, then red, and then white. MDC went to this system a few years ago. Prior to that, our system was highly confusing and regulations varied on each particular stream. Now all we have to know is Blue/Red/White Ribbon = one of three sets of rules, respectively. It really doesn't mean that one stream is better than the other.
Sumthin to do with first prize at the State Fair methinks.
Mark