Person standing in waterbody with tall grass all around and rows of posts

Fish Habitat Enhancement

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Importance of Fish Habitat Enhancement

At every stage of life, fish rely on healthy aquatic habitat to reproduce, escape predators, avoid extreme temperatures, and feed effectively. Over time, humans have altered shorelines, stream channels, and flood plains in ways that degrade, reduce, or eliminate this habitat. To address these impacts, DEC and partners are working together to implement habitat enhancement projects across the state. Read on to learn more about different strategies to address habitat degradation.

Why Habitat Enhancement?

Habitat plays a vital role in providing the following critical components for fish to survive: 

  • Food
  • Shelter (to avoid predation)
  • Cover (shade from trees to regulate water temperatures), and
  • Areas for reproduction/spawning

Each of DEC’s habitat enhancement projects help to restore and increase these key components to create suitable habitat and wild, self-sustaining populations.

Highlighted Projects

Below are habitat enhancement projects finalized by DEC and partners. Click to learn more about each project, including the variety of habitat enhancement methods/techniques used.

Root wads in a creek

Project Details: The installation of root wads and boulder clusters in this location was designed to increase instream shelter and create refuge for wild brook trout and brown trout during the summer months. This will protect fish seeking cold groundwater to avoid harmful exposure to high water temperatures. Tree plantings were also used to stabilize the riverbank.

Partners: Trout Unlimited and SUNY Cobleskill

Funding: Habitat and Access Stamp

Before and after comparison of Post assisted log structures project in a brook

Project Details: Post assisted log structures were installed to increase instream shelter for wild brook and brown trout. 

Partners: Trout Unlimited

Funding: Habitat and Access Stamp

Above and below surface view of spawning reef project

Project Details: To enhance wild spawning habitat for lake whitefish in Otsego Lake, three spawning reefs were constructed using rip rap (quarry stone) as part of a targeted habitat project to increase availability of spawning cobble. The rip rap was manually added in three locations at varying depths to assess spawning depth preference by lake whitefish.

Partners: SUNY Cobleskill and the Otsego Lake Biological Field Station at SUNY Oneonta

Funding: Natural Resource Damages

Area comparison before and after jetting
Image Credit
Philippa Kohn, The Nature Conservancy (lead scientist for dive assessments)

Project Details: A groundbreaking high-velocity jetting method was developed and tested at two experimental sites on Brocton Shoal, a historical lake trout spawning site in Lake Erie, to clean and restore spawning habitat impacted by invasive zebra and quagga mussels. After comprehensive planning, the high-velocity jetting method successfully removed silt, sand, and the invasive mussels covering the rock piles and crevices. In the coming years, the sites will be monitored for lake trout spawning success and invasive species recolonization.

Partners: The Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Seaway Marine Group

Funding: Environmental Protection Fund (Oceans and Great Lakes Program)

Before and after of Saranac River after dam removal

Project Details: Dam removal of Indian Rapids Dam (pictured above) and Fredenburgh Falls Dam in the town of Plattsburgh was conducted to promote passage of Atlantic salmon, and other fish within the Saranac River. Indian Rapids Dam had been breached but was still a barrier to fish passage and the Fredenburgh Falls Dam, just upstream 0.5 miles, was a rock crib dam with dilapidated steel framing in and along the river. The removal was part of a combined effort to improve fish passage prior to a fish ladder installation at Imperial Mill’s Dam downstream. With the ladder functional and these barriers removed, fish will be able to access upper sections of the river for the first time in over 120 years.

Partners: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Trout Unlimited, and NYS Electric and Gas

Funding: Multiple sources (Patriot Hydro, USFWS, NYSEG, and Lake Champlain Basin Program through the Aquatic Organism Passage Implementation Fund)

Before and after comparison of culvert resizing under bridge
Image Credit
Before photo courtesy of Trout Unlimited

Project Details: To reconnect more than 40 miles of prime native brook trout waters, this aquatic reconnection project includes replacing 63 culverts to create proper sized road stream crossings throughout the Moose River Plains Complex.

Partners: Trout Unlimited

Funding: Federal and State Grants (Sustain Our Great Lakes Program National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and New York State Water Quality Improvement Project)

Watch on YouTube: Connected Conservation - A Future for Adirondack Brook Trout by Trout Unlimited

Before and after comparison of creek after lunker bunker and root wads added

Project Details: Lunker bunkers and root wads were installed to increase adult wild brown trout holding water and stabilize an eroding stream bank. Tree plantings were also used to create shade along the stream bank to regulate water temperature. This project is part of a greater effort of habitat restoration efforts in the Wiscoy Creek drainage.

Partners: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

Funding: Habitat and Access Stamp

Before and after comparison of launch site after project improvements

Project Details: The popular Horicon canoe and kayak launch site and parking area was greatly improved by creating a new launch area and stabilizing the site, improving stormwater drainage, and creating a stable hand boat launch. Tree plantings were used to further stabilize the shoreline.

Partners: Warren County Department of Parks & Recreation, Department of Public Works, and Soil & Water Conservation District

Funding: Habitat and Access Stamp

Creek comparison before and after bank stabilization

Project Details: Remnant log structures for bank stabilization from a previous habitat enhancement project were removed and replaced with large rocks to stabilize the stream banks and stream channel. This project is part of a greater habitat restoration effort in the Willowemoc and Beaverkill drainages to enhance wild trout habitat. 

Partners: Trout Unlimited, National Fish and Wildlife Federation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Partners for Fish and Wildlife.

Funding: Habitat and Access Stamp

Habitat Enhancement Methods and Techniques

A variety of techniques are used to create and enhance freshwater fish habitat and aquatic connectivity (removal of barriers to reconnect fish habitat). The techniques primarily fall under Natural Channel Design that uses engineered designed and constructed methods or Process Based Restoration that uses natural low-tech and low-cost methods. The techniques used are typically based on the type of fish (e.g. salmonids, migratory species) and characteristics of the waterbody.

Lunker bunker on bank of waterbody

Lunker Bunkers

Purpose

Creates areas for fish to hide and avoid predation when natural cover has been reduced by poor land use practices (e.g. agriculture, development, logging, etc.).

Methods

Lunker bunkers (pictured here) create an undercut bank providing cover and locations for fish to rest.
 

Wide creek flanked by green trees

Channel Stabilization

Purpose

Reduce effects on streams and rivers caused by human impacts on the landscape.

Methods

Generally consists of engineered designs targeted at restoring form and function processes of an unimpacted stream channel. 
 

Creek with trees in background and root wads on left bank

Root Wads

Purpose

Create instream shelter for all life stages of fish and limit streambank erosion, as well as increase water depth and collect detritus (decomposing remains of organisms and plants) that serves as the primary production in streams.

Method

Key logs into the bank with “root wad” left below the water’s surface in stream channel.
 

Construction vehicles on a floating platform

Jetting

Purpose

Increase suitable spawning habitat within natural rock piles at bottom of the lake.

Method

Use of high-velocity water to clear silt, sand, and invasive mussels from rock piles and crevices. An underwater drone is used to evaluate and adjust methods in real-time
 

Construction vehicle removing a dam

Dam Removal

Purpose

Allow migratory fish to pass freely upstream and downstream while promoting natural river function.

Method

Removal of impoundment in stages to allow water to flow freely.

Watch on YouTube: Dams & Culverts - Reconnecting Our Waterways

Person standing in culvert connected to stream

Proper-sized Road Stream Crossings

Purpose

Allow fish to pass freely under road stream crossings.

Method

Appropriately sizing box culverts or open bottom culverts allowing the stream to pass unimpacted by the structure and ensure there is no barrier to fish passage.

Watch on YouTube: Dams & Culverts - Reconnecting Our Waterways 

Person planting a tree with pots and shovel next to them

Tree Planting and Live Stakes

Purpose

Provides long-term benefits from the addition of native woody plants on the stream banks at the project site. This also mitigates the disturbance from equipment used during the habitat enhancement project.

Methods

Planting native woody vegetation within 100 feet of the stream bank and wherever disturbances occurred.
 

Two people standing next to logs and branches in water

Strategic Wood Addition

Purpose 

Creates cover for all life stages of fish, increases instream complexity, reconnects the natural flood plain, slows water velocity, and produces pool habitat.

Method

Trees are dropped from the stream bank into the active channel. Trees are strategically positioned in the channel of a stream. Dropped trees are keyed into the bank or pinned behind boulders to ensure they stay in place.

Watch on YouTube: Introduction to Strategic Wood Addition by Vermont Fish & Wildlife 

People installing posts in waterbody

Post Assisted Log Structures (PALS)

Purpose

Increase instream shelter and pool depth.

Method

Branches, brush, or shrubs are added to the stream channel and pinned into place with live stakes or wood stakes.
 

Spawning reef

Spawning Reef Enhancement Techniques

Purpose

Create new spawning locations with coarse rocks in lakes and ponds where siltation has degraded suitable spawning locations.

Methods

Introducing native material (trees or rock) that the target species use for spawning. 
 

Funding to Support Habitat Enhancement

Numerous funding sources are used to support fish habitat enhancement projects throughout New York State. These include funds from both state and federal sources, as well as grant programs developed for local organizations and municipalities.

Water Quality Improvement Projects – Grant Opportunities for Local Communities

Partnerships with municipalities and not-for-profit corporations expands the work in developing improved fish habitat through the Water Quality Improvement Project (WQIP) grant program. 

Eligible habitat improvement project types through the WQIP program include:

  • Aquatic Connectivity
  • Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration and Enhancement
LEARN MORE ABOUT WQIP

Habitat and Access Stamp

Funds from donations provided through the Habitat and Access Stamp support various projects related to habitat conservation and improved outdoor recreational opportunities. Many of these projects are completed by DEC in collaboration with numerous partners to restore popular fishing access sites and to enhance critical fish habitat. You can help support these project by simply adding the $5 Habitat and Access Stamp while purchasing your sporting license.
 

DONATE TO SUPPORT HABITAT AND ACCESS PROJECTS

Additional Resources

Great Lakes Fish Habitat Enhancement Plan
Shoreline Stabilization
Shoreline Stabilization Techniques
Stream Crossings
Contact for this Page

Bureau of Fisheries
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233

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