Fish habitat improvement projects contribute to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's mission of providing fishing and boating opportunities through the protection and management of aquatic resources.
Lack of natural habitat can be the result of many situations, including stream channelization, poor agricultural practices, inadequate stormwater management and disturbance to the riparian zones bordering the stream.
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Stream Habitat Improvement Booklet
This is a 70 page book discussing the various topics for improving stream habitat and bank stabilization methods, techniques, and structures. The book details 41 stream habitat improvement structures that are recommended for improving fish habitat and also bank stabilization to improve water quality.
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Trout Stream Habitat Improvement Booklet
A previous PFBC publication from 2007 describing stream habitat improvement. Please refer to the new book Stream Habitat Improvement Booklet for the newest information for stream habitat improvement.
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Stream Visual Survey Data Sheet
A visual scoring spreadsheet to collect and record data to determine the quality of stream habitat present in a stream section.
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Stream Visual Survey Data Sheet Guide
A guide providing instructional information to determine the stream habitat quality present in a stream section.
Standard Drawings of Habitat Structures
View habitat structure drawing booklet (PDF).
This booklet details 41 stream habitat improvement structures that are recommended for improving fish habitat and also bank stabilization to improve water quality.
Individual Structure Drawings Available for Print-on-Demand:
A list of 41 standard drawings in PDF format of stream habitat improvement structures that provide riffle, run, and pool habitat. These structures also restore and enhance stream banks by minimizing erosion and improving water quality.
- Bank Cover Cribbing (PDF)
- Bank Cover Cribbing with Rootwads (PDF)
- Brush Deflector (PDF)
- Brush Revetment (PDF)
- Channel Block with Log Frame (PDF)
- Channel Block with Rootwads (PDF)
- Channel Block with Single Logs and Rootwads (PDF)
- Channel Block with Stone (PDF)
- Cross Log Vane (PDF)
- Large Wood Devices (PDF)
- Log Cross Vane (PDF)
- Log Cross Vane with Rock Throat (PDF)
- Log Faced Stone Deflector (PDF)
- Log Framed Cross Vane
- Log Framed Cross Vane with Rock Throat (PDF)
- Log Framed Cross Vane with Wing Extensions (PDF)
- Log Framed Deflector with Boards (PDF)
- Log Framed Stone Deflector (PDF)
- Modified Mud Sill Cribbing (PDF)
- Modified Mud Sill Cribbing with Rootwads (PDF)
- Mud Sill Cribbing (PDF)
- Multi-Log Vane Deflector (PDF)
- Multi-Log Vane Deflector with J-Hook (PDF)
- Open Center Stone Deflector with Logs (PDF)
- Random Boulder Placement (PDF)
- Rock Cross Vane (PDF)
- Rock Riffle (PDF)
- Rock Vane Deflector (PDF)
- Rock Vane with J-Hook (PDF)
- Rootwad Deflector (PDF)
- Sawtooth Modified Mud Sill Cribbing (PDF)
- Sawtooth Stone Deflectors (PDF)
- Sawtooth Stone Deflectors with Logs (PDF)
- Single Log Cross Vane Deflector (PDF)
- Single Log Cross Vane Deflector with J-Hook (PDF)
- Single Log Cross Vane Deflector with J-Hook and Rootwad (PDF)
- Stone Deflector (PDF)
- Stone Deflector with Rootwads (PDF)
- Stone Deflector with Single Log (PDF)
- Stone Deflector with Single Log and J-Hook (PDF)
- Toe Log Cribbing (PDF)
Riparian Buffers
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) recognizes the benefits of vegetated buffer zones and actively promotes the protection, enhancement and restoration of riparian buffers on Commission properties and other lands throughout the Commonwealth. State agencies have been asked to take the lead with this initiative in the management of their own lands.
Read more about the strategies that serve as guidance for the protection, enhancement and creation of riparian buffer zones on Commission-owned lands.
View webpage on Riparian Buffers Guidelines.
Strategic Wood Additions
View Guideline for Strategic Wood Additions
Instructional guide for using strategic wood additions to improve instream fish habitat.
