Elk Creek has 10.8 miles of Class I trout waters, however fish surveys on the stream indicate declining brook trout reproduction in the lower portions of the stream from degraded spawning habitat.

Eroded sand stream banks from cattle overgrazing in the stream corridor in past years has contributed to excessive sediment inputs covering the stream bed. Elk Creek traverses state and private land.

The Chippewa County Land Conservation Department and NRCS are working with private landowners in the watershed to implement best management practices to reduce upland erosion. Habitat work completed in fall 2008 will compliment past restoration efforts on the stream.

Phase I of the project was partially funded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Fish Habitat Action Plan. Approximately 0.76 miles of stream was restored in 2008 with 2007 funds. NFHAP funds will also contribute to phase II and phase III of the restoration project.

Overall goals are to reduce bank erosion, improve and expand spawning areas, and providing overhead cover and wintering holes for trout, sculpin and redside dace. Habitat work will also benefit several herptile species.

Habitat work included resloping and stabilizing eroding bank sites, narrowing the stream channel to increase velocities, and placing weirs, boulder retards, root wads and other structures in-stream to create and enhance habitat diversity for fish. The riparian area was later seeded with native vegetation.

The Ojibleau chapter of Trout Unlimited, Wisconsin DNR, conservation alliances, and local volunteers were on hand to work on the 2008 phase of the project. Restoration work will continue in 2009.