Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is home to 86,000 miles of streams, including tens of thousands of miles of wild trout water. From the Upper Delaware and the Lehigh to Pine Creek and Kettle Creek these are some of the best-known trout waters in the region. The heavily forested Pennsylvania Wilds were once known for their logging; now, they hold two million acres of public land, countless healthy coldwater streams, and some of the state’s most intact native Eastern brook trout strongholds. Trout Unlimited has been at work in Pennsylvania for decades. We are cleaning up abandoned mines and bringing fish populations back in the West Branch Susquehanna watershed, building on early work to recover a stretch of Kettle Creek left for dead by toxic mine drainage. We are identifying fish passage barriers and removing them. We are locating overlooked wild trout populations and mobilizing angers to protect them. In four major watersheds, we are restoring streams, improving water quality, boosting Pennsylvania’s multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation economy, and helping fisheries and communities prepare for a changing climate.

Threats & Opportunities

Thousands of Pennsylvania’s streams are fragmented by barriers such as dams and culverts. Legacy land use activities, including agriculture, mining, and energy development, have left their mark on the landscape and degraded streams and trout fisheries. Climate change is predicted to shrink the state’s coldwater footprint. However, federal, state, and private investments in restoration provide an opportunity to replace faulty culverts, reconnect ecosystems, clean up abandoned mine drainage, and restore degraded streams. Ongoing stream assessments help us identify thousands of miles of undocumented wild trout populations and protect them.

Improving instream habitat to support trout populations.

Across Pennsylvania, we are adding instream structures, increasing cover and creating more complex habitat in areas where these features have historically been limited. Our crews have completed 71 projects restoring 59 stream miles, including work in Deer Lick Hollow in the Pine Creek watershed, Cherry Hollow in the Kettle Creek watershed and the East Branch of Tionesta Creek in the Allegheny National Forest.

Reconnecting critical brook trout habitat.

We are improving road drainage and stream crossings to restore natural stream function, reduce sediment and improve water quality while allowing brook trout to move more freely throughout their watersheds. Reconnected habitat strengthens trout populations by expanding access to spawning, feeding and refuge areas and improving opportunities for genetic exchange among previously isolated populations. This work has reconnected more than 100 stream miles.

Addressing abandoned mine drainage.

Increased federal funding is helping us maintain existing passive treatment systems that benefit nearly 20 miles of restored and reconnected brook trout habitat. In the Beech Creek watershed, we are advancing assessments and treatment system planning to support future restoration.

Monitoring restoration impacts.

Our field science team monitors the effectiveness of habitat restoration and stream reconnection projects. Results show encouraging biological responses, demonstrating how targeted restoration can support healthier, more resilient brook trout populations. These findings help guide future investments in habitat quality, stream connectivity and watershed-scale restoration.

Developing long-term conservation plans for priority watersheds.

We have developed comprehensive 10-year conservation plans for priority watersheds across the West Branch Susquehanna and Allegheny regions. These science-based plans guide restoration priorities, project design, permitting and implementation while bringing partners together around shared goals. They also provide a foundation for future conservation investments and help prepare watersheds for challenges such as climate change.