The Virginia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office works to protect, restore, and enhance migratory and inland resident fishes in the rivers of Virginia, and to prevent the spread of harmful invasive species.

We also work with partners and landowners to restore aquatic connectivity, remove barriers to fish passage that are also safety hazards, and restore habitat for migratory and inland fishes, and other aquatic species.

Most of our work focuses on restoring Atlantic sturgeon, American shad, alewife and blueback herring, Eastern brook trout and American eel, and freshwater mussels. However, all fish and wildlife benefit from the work we do.

What We Do

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
A half dozen large silver fish jumping out of the water to a height of six feet.
Aquatic invasive species cause tremendous harm to our environment, our economy, and our health. They can drive out and eat native plants and wildlife, spread diseases, and damage infrastructure. We work to protect our waterways and the communities that depend on them from the threat of invasive...
Program
A person is walks through a large wide culvert that passes under a gravel road. A small river runs through the culvert.
The Fish Passage Program works with local communities on a voluntary basis to restore rivers and conserve our nation’s aquatic resources by removing or bypassing barriers. Our projects benefit both fish and people.
Program
A view of the Sacramento River. Its flat, blue water is lined by bright green trees and vegetation. Blue skies are overhead.
The National Fish Habitat Partnership is a comprehensive effort to treat the causes of fish habitat decline, not just the symptoms. The Partnership is a national investment strategy to maximize the impact of conservation dollars on the ground. Funds are leveraged through regional partnerships to...
Program

Projects and Research

Latest News

A blue, white, and red-orange fish hiding in between rocks
Endangered Species Act
Critical Habitat Designation for Candy Darter
Following listing as an endangered species in 2018, the freshwater candy darter has now also been designated critical habitat protections.
A dam crosses a river, but a portion has been removed to that water can flow through. People stand on an overlook that crosses the open section of the river.
Habitat Restoration
Securing Healthy Rivers for Healthy Communities
While it’s been about 80 years since the last sawmill on Maine’s Sheepscot River closed, the dams that powered the iconic 66-mile river’s sawmills had remained intact — until recently.
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Location and Contact Information