The rivers, streams, and lakes of Oregon and Washington are home to a diverse array of fish species and BLM is committed to the restoration and protection of the aquatic habitat the fish are dependant on.

Salmon and trout species found on BLM-administered lands include bull trout, westslope cutthroat trout, Yellowstone cutthroat trout, Lahontan cutthroat trout, redband trout, steelhead trout, and chinook and sockeye salmon.

Five of these species (bull trout, Lahontan cutthroat trout, steelhead trout, chinook salmon, and sockeye salmon) are on the Endangered Species Act list in all or portions of their distribution.

The BLM addresses the management of fish and their habitat in District Resource Management Plans and through such initiatives as the Northwest Forest Plan, PACFISH and InFish.

The BLM is also a member of the Federal Caucus, which is a group of nine federal agencies with management responsibilities for listed fish species. The Caucus works together to improve interagency coordination and management of all the factors that influence fish survival: habitat, hatcheries, harvest, and hydropower operations.

In 2002, BLM made the following habitat improvement accomplishments:

Fish traps help biologists monitor fish populations. Photo by Saundra Miles.

• Riparian Habitat: 375 miles restored or intensively managed impact on fish; 175 miles improved as part of abandoned mine reclamation, fire restoration, and other projects.
• Riparian/Wetland Habitat Easements: Purchased easements along more than 25 stream reaches.
• In-Stream Flow: More than 50 stream flow studies, assessments, or feasibility surveys completed.
• In-Stream Passage: More than 125 diversions assessed to identify improvement needs.