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Habitat Management

Fish and other aquatic animals depend on their habitats, which are the places they live, in order to survive, grow and reproduce. These habitats serve as "nature's hatcheries" to produce fish populations across the state for you to enjoy. Fish habitats can be damaged by removal of vegetation, erosion, loss of downed timber, warming temperatures, poor water quality, changes in stream flow, and blockage of fish passage.;

We work with a variety of partners in our efforts to protect and restore aquatic habitats. This includes providing grants and other funding opportunities to protect and improve habitat, assess damage to natural resources, assess effects of water withdrawal, review permits for activities that affect aquatic habitats, and provide public outreach to teach people how they can get involved in habitat conservation.

To help guide conservation efforts to benefit fisheries and aquatic resources in Michigan, we have created the list of priority habitat conservation projects (found below). We have also provided guidance for living on Michigan's inland lakes, while being a steward for the fish and aquatic life in the lake.

Additional resources

Fisheries Habitat Management Grants

Local, state, federal or tribal units of government, academic institutions, or non-profit groups can apply for a Fisheries Habitat Grant. These grants support a variety of activities to benefit fisheries, aquatic resources and the public, including habitat conservation for fish and aquatic species, dam removal and repair, resource assessment studies and access to recreation.