Oconto River Watershed Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Great Lakes Stream Restoration - Wisconsin
In 2017, Trout Unlimited staff and volunteers helped to reconnect 42 miles of coldwater habitat within the Peshtigo River watershed in Northern Wisconsin, as part of TU's Great Lakes Restoration Program.
In collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, 10 inadequate culverts were replaced with fish-friendly structures. An additional road crossing located on private industrial forest land was removed.
In all, the projects eliminated 11 aquatic organism passage barriers and improved instream habitat. As a result brook trout can once again migrate between critical spawning and rearing habitat and deeper, forage-rich winter habitat. The work generated a great TV news story that aired during a Green Bay Packers game this past fall.
Thanks to a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the ongoing support for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), we will be continuing our efforts here in northern Wisconsin. Our objective for 2018 is to reconnect an additional 25 miles within the Peshtigo system through the replacement of five more culverts.
In addition to our culvert work, we are very excited to be a part of the North Branch Oconto Restoration Partnership. In 2018, we will be assisting in the restoration of 2.6 miles of wild brook trout habitat through the heart of Wabeno. This will entail the removal of mill dams, a culvert replacement and instream habitat improvements.
Ongoing support from the Wisconsin Council and chapters, in the form of generous financial contributions and letters of support, have been critically important in this effort.
For more information on TU's WI Great Lakes Stream Restoration Program, contact program manager Laura MacFarland at laura.macfarland@tu.org. Follow at https://www.facebook.com/TUGreatLakes/.
2024 College Scholarship Available
The Oconto River Watershed Chapter of Trout Unlimited is accepting applications for the Don Wagner Memorial Scholarship program. The $1000 College Scholarship is available to anyone who completed his/her first year of college and; has attained Sophomore status and; who is enrolled in a course associated with Environmental Sciences or Aquaculture (including, but not limited to an emphasis in fisheries).
Special consideration will be afforded to candidates that are Juniors or Seniors. Also, candidates from the Shawano and Oconto County area, where the Oconto River flows will be given priority. Also, special attention will be given to those that have worked in the field.
The Scholarship will typically be awarded at UWSP through the financial aids office but could on occasion be awarded at any other accredited college of environmental studies. Send an application of an educational resume for consideration to Oconto River Trout Unlimited, P.O. Box 252, Gillett, WI 54124 by May 1, 2024.
Update on South Branch Land
OCONTO - The Chapter has received a letter from Monty Brink, Oconto County Forest and Parks Administrator, thanking us for our donation and indicating that the deal closed on April 21, 2020. Through a lot of extra effort on Monty’s part, and through a cooperative effort by Oconto County, Trout Unlimited and others, the deal got done and will provide a place to fish for many, many people in years to come.
“The next step is to develop the parking lot and river access to the South Branch of the Oconto River that will allow anglers hours of enjoyment as they take in the natural beauty the area has to offer.”
Great Job Monty!!!!!!
