Bridge Construction on Muskege Creek. Bayfield County Wisconsin. - FWS photo by Ted Koehler

Bridge Construction on Muskege Creek. - FWS photo by Ted Koehler

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Ashland Fishery Resources Office was involved through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program on the fish passage barrier removal on Muskeg Creek, in Bayfield County, Wisconsin. 

Muskeg Creek is a tributary to the Iron River which flows into Lake Superior and, after which, the Service’s Iron River National Fish Hatchery is named.  During low water, a concrete box culvert at Muskeg Creek and Eastview Road created a fish passage barrier. 

Working with the town of Oulu, the problem structure was removed and replaced with a bridge in order to provide a safer crossing for the public as well as provide a natural bottom for fish passage. 

This project improved fish access to more than 11 miles of stream and benefits native brook trout and other aquatic life.