The Maine Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office strives to restore fish habitat throughout our rivers in Maine, for freshwater and sea-run migratory fishes, through collaboration with local, state and tribal partners.

What We Do

Since 2005, the Maine Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office has assisted State partners in completing 196 aquatic connectivity projects. These projects restored fish passage and ecological function to more than 650 miles of stream habitat. We removed barriers and replaced them with structures, such as bridges or open-arch culverts that span at least 1.2 times the bank-full width of the natural stream. Nearly all of these restoration efforts have been conducted within designated critical habitat for endangered Atlantic salmon.

Richardson Brook, East Machias River, ME. Replacing an undersized culvert with a 1.2 bankfull spanning bridge
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Richardson Brook, East Machias River, ME. Replacing an undersized culvert with a 1.2 bankfull spanning bridge

Our Organization

Juvenile Northern Pike in aquarium at Gavins Point National Fish Hatchery, South Dakota
The Fish and Aquatic Conservation program leads aquatic conservation efforts for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We are committed to tackling the nation’s highest priority aquatic conservation and recreational challenges to conserve, restore, and enhance fisheries for future generations.
Program
Falls Church, VA

Our Species

Each spring, hundreds of thousands of fish migrate from the ocean to the rivers in Maine: alewife and blueback herring, American eel, American shad, Atlantic salmon, Atlantic sturgeon, and striped bass. These fish are ecologically, culturally and economically important to the region as an important food source for people, and for other fish and wildlife, including fish and wildlife that people like to eat. Indeed, restoring these important migratory fishes and resident fish, like the eastern brook trout, are priorities for us. We are removing obstacles to migration, and creating fishways so fish can migrate around dams.

River herring in a stocking tank
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River herring

Projects and Research

Latest News

A river churns along the rocky rapids. Evergreen trees frame either side of the water.
Habitat Restoration
Saving the St. Croix
Federal and state agencies from the U.S. and Canada have signed a statement of cooperation with the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Peskotomuhkati Nation at Skutik committing to a partnership dedicated to restoring the water quality and wildlife habitat of the St. Croix River.
a small school of silver fish swim underwater
Migratory Species
The little stream that could, and will again
The last time an alewife reached Kennebec County’s China Lake under its own steam – in 1783 -- Maine was part of Massachusetts and the Revolutionary War had just ended. That is until this spring, when tens of thousands of the migratory fish swam the seven miles from the Sebasticook River to China...
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Get Involved

Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. The Maine FWCO provides many opportunities for you to help your community and fish and wildlife by doing what you love.

We partner with volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighbors and residents of both urban and rural communities to make a lasting difference. There are opportunities for everyone to get involved!

Volunteers: Gain new experiences and meet new people while helping to advance fish and aquatic conservation.

Friends: Join neighbors in helping hatcheries work effectively in our communities.

Local Groups: Find out how communities can work with hatcheries to conserve our shared natural resources.

Youth: Explore paid and unpaid opportunities to learn and develop leadership skills.

Location and Contact Information