Log Habitat Structure installed on the Iron River Brook Trout Habitat Restoration Project. 2007. Bayfield County, Wisconsin. Photographer: Paul Johnson, NRCS.

Over the past three years habitat restoration partners in northern Wisconsin have worked to restore brook trout habitat on the Iron River.  Two separate landowners own adjacent sides of the creek at this location.  By working together, the landowners and agencies involved produced a win-win for the land as well as brook trout and other aquatic species.  Working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Bayfield County Land and Water Conservation Department and the landowner, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Ashland National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office participated in the project through the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program.  Over the course of the project, anchored wood structures were installed at selected locations in the stream to restore large woody cover as well as create scour holes to expose spawning gravel.  The project was completed in two phases and the first reach of stream was restored in 2006.  The second reach was then completed in 2007 and monitoring the stability of the site was performed in 2008.  With the structures performing as planned and in no need of adjustment or additional work, the project was finalized. 

In the past, poor land management practices have impaired fish habitat in the Iron River in Bayfield County, Wisconsin.  Historic large woody debris was removed from the stream and higher sediment loads have eliminated or degraded many brook trout spawning sites.  This sediment also covers natural resting and cover structure remaining  for brook trout and other aquatic species.  The Iron River is a tributary to Lake Superior, and its headwaters provide the water-source for the Iron River National Fish Hatchery.   It supports a popular recreational fishery important to local anglers as well as many fishermen who travel from around the county to fish the area waters and support the local economy.  The Iron River holds a strong population of native brook trout which are expected to benefit from the restored habitat.  The restoration will also benefit wading birds as well as herptiles such as turtles which will use many newly created loafing sites.  Mammals such as river otters will benefit as well through the creation of additional structural habitat in the stream within which they will live and hunt.

To restore the habitat for brook trout and other aquatic life at this site in the Iron River, red pine logs were strategically placed to mimic natural conditions which once existed in the stream.  The logs were drilled and wooden posts driven through both ends in order to anchor them to the substrate of the stream bottom.  Using generator powered water jets and good old fashioned sledge hammers the wooden posts were pounded into the substrate.  Through both seasons of field work a crew from the Gordon Correction Center performed the majority of the labor and did an excellent job.  In this case, not only will the public benefit from the restored habitat, but also by the crew from the correctional facility gaining new experience and insight which will help them better integrate into society in the future.   The resulting habitat benefits from the entire project include approximately 2000 feet of brook trout habitat restored, and miles of habitat beyond enhanced through reduced sediment and an improved fishery.