Trout Unlimited volunteers install brush bundles on Newman Creek on July 21, 2018.
By Laura MacFarland
Wisconsin River Valley Trout Unlimited received $2,000 from the Trout and Salmon Foundation to improve brook trout habitat and angling opportunities within Newman Creek located on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Price County, Wisc.
In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the chapter restored the width-to-depth ratio within the stream to improve pool habitat and decrease water temperatures through the installation of brush bundles.
TU volunteers and USFS staff also strategically placed three large logs within the stream to encourage scour/pool formation and to provide complex cover for trout.
Finally, tag alder was thinned to provide increased access for anglers.
Newman Creek is a trout stream located on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in northeast Price County, Wisc.
Historical land use has resulted in a wider, shallower stream channel and tag alder dominated riparian area. Spring ponds in the headwaters were diked to raise water levels to provide waterfowl habitat.
These impacts have resulted in increased water temperatures, as well as a decrease quality of instream habitat and angling opportunities.
Brush bundles decrease the width and increase the depth of the stream resulting in greater pool habitat and decreased water temperatures.
Since 2014, the Forest Service, with financial support from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, has greatly improved the temperatures within Newman Creek through the removal of an impoundment on Camp Four Creek, a tributary to Newman Creek; the removal of boards at the outlet of Newman Creek springs; and beaver control.
Additional instream habitat improvements were needed to maximize the potential of the fishery.
Wisconsin River Valley Trout Unlimited and the Forest Service are grateful to the Trout and Salmon Foundation for its support of this worthy effort.
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