Brook trout and other aquatic species were unable to pass through the old culvert due to its size and elevated positioning.

A new, larger culvert was installed below the streambed to improve fish passage.

Trout Creek is one of few streams located in Brown County, Wisconsin, capable of supporting sensitive, coldwater fish and wildlife species.  Fish species found in the stream include brook trout and the state-threatened redside dace.  The stream has been severely degraded over the past century by agricultural activities and urban development. A significant portion of Trout Creek runs through Oneida Nation Reservation lands, and the Oneida Environmental Department has been working, with local, state, and federal partners on various stream restoration projects over the past several years.  This most recent project involved the replacement of an old, undersized culvert which runs under a county highway.  The Oneida Environmental Department estimated that 90 percent of the brook trout population was unable to pass through the old culvert due to its size and elevated position.  The Brown County Highway Department agreed to replace the culvert, but additional funding was necessay to purchase a larger culvert that could be imbeded 2.5 feet below the streambed.  This new structure will open up approximately 4 miles of Trout Creek tributaries for fish passage.