|
Following up on 13 priority Reservoir projects funded in 2024 through a Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Fund grant, the National Fish Habitat Partnership (NFHP), was grateful to receive another $500,000.00 Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Fund Grant in 2025 to fund habitat conservation projects in nine priority reservoirs, identified by the Reservoir Fish Habitat Partnership, across the U.S.
NFHP received these funds through Beyond the Pond, the 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization established to benefit the work of NFHP through its 20 Fish Habitat Partnerships. The projects identified to receive funding below will be implemented in 2026 and are matched with over $604,000 in leveraged funding.
“The National Fish Habitat Partnership is grateful for the continued support of Bass Pro Shops for our on-the-ground conservation projects enhancing reservoir habitat for the benefit of both fish and anglers,” said Tim Schaeffer, Chair of the National Fish Habitat Board.
“The Beyond the Pond Board extends its sincere appreciation to the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Fund for their impactful support of the National Fish Habitat Partnership and the vital habitat restoration work underway in reservoirs across the country,” said Julie Carter, Chair of the Beyond the Pond Board.
The 2026 funded projects include:
Upper Bull Shoals Lake Habitat Improvement Project, AR/MO
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Grant amount $75,000 with $79,300 in non-federal match
Bull Shoals Lake is a highly popular recreational fishery in the heart of the Ozarks. Impounded in 1951, this aging highland reservoir is experiencing habitat degradation from sedimentation, fluctuating water levels, and loss of natural structure. To combat this, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) will replenish 100 fish habitat structures (brush piles) in the lake's upper section. The project also aims to restore riparian habitat in the West and East Sugarloaf tributaries to protect critical spawning habitat. Anglers will receive maps and GPS coordinates to locate the newly created habitat structures, increasing fishing opportunities and promoting project awareness.
East Lynn Lake Habitat Development Program, WV
US Army Corps of Engineers, Grant amount $33,697 with $21,903 in match
East Lynn Lake’s Habitat Development Program is an ongoing initiative of the reservoir’s environmental resource management activities. Initiated in 2022, the project utilized Reef Balls to develop habitat throughout the reservoir for sport fish such as bass, black crappie, catfish, and bluegill. Budget constraints have hindered the timely development of this project. We will continue installing reef balls in 5 channels at East Lynn Lake: 20 in the East Fork, 30 in the Lick Creek tributary, 30 in the Rich Creek tributary, 10 in the Brush Creek tributary, and 60 in the main channel. 20 bald cypress trees will be planted along approximately 3,100 feet of East Fork’s shoreline and one mudflat to reduce sedimentation due to shoreline erosion.
East Branch Clarion River Lake Multi-Purpose Pier, PA
US Army Corps of Engineers, Grant amount $75,000 with $150,000 in match
This project aims to create a safe and accessible fishing area by constructing an artificial rock pier along the boat launch parking lot, enhancing public access to the shoreline and lake. The project will benefit local anglers and the community by providing recreational opportunities and boosting local economies. Funded by multiple state, local, and federal agencies, it involves consulting with professional environmental agencies to minimize disruption to aquatic ecosystems. The project will complete a long rock-faced fishing pier. This fishing pier will be a local destination fishery that will improve water quality, fish populations, fishing access, education, and habitat for anglers.
Mark Twain Lake Fisheries Enhancement Development Project, MO
US Army Corps of Engineers, Grant amount $66,000 with $41,000 in match
Mark Twain Lake has sustained a strong, viable fishery, but the decline in structural underwater and shoreline habitat and limited shoreline access are contributing to an environment that is not conducive to recreational angling. This proposal will, on a small but impactful scale, address the loss of structural habitat, provide appealing shoreline access to the management unit, and increase recreational angling opportunities. This project proposes funding to purchase materials to construct 100 MTL cubes, 200 spider blocks, and 50 porcupine cribs.
Lake Brownwood Fish Habitat Enhancement Project, TX
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Grant amount $40,000 with $11,500 in match
The intent of this project is to install artificial fish habitat in six locations within Lake Brownwood. This project would expand on five areas previously enhanced in fall 2024, which was a collaboration with Brown County Water Improvement District, T.X. B.A.S.S. Nation, Black Bass Stewardship Group, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. One additional area not previously enhanced will be included in the project. The artificial fish habitat structures to be installed include reef balls, porcupine crib structures, and brush piles. We plan to install 42 pallet balls, 60 porcupine cribs, and 24 brush piles at these locations within 1 year of funding being awarded. Structures will be georeferenced, mapped, and will be made available to the public in a downloadable format on the TPWD website.
Lake Hartwell Fish Habitat Enhancement Project, SC
South Carolina DNR, Grant amount $75,000 with $270,000 in match
To address deficiencies in fish habitat in Lake Hartwell, the SCDNR proposes to use a variety of materials and techniques to enhance habitat in project areas for both Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass. Materials to be utilized include concrete, rock, stumps, trees, bamboo, and manufactured fish attractors. Fish habitat structures will be constructed to provide cover, spawning and nursery habitat, and improve forage for popular gamefish species. These habitat additions may increase population densities, improve size structure, and increase reproductive success. Habitat enhancement sites also help concentrate fish, improving angler success rates. The project will install eighty-six (86) structures at six (6) areas on Lake Hartwell.
Rock Lake Habitat Enhancement, WY
The WYldlife Fund, Grant amount $40,000 with $64,200 in match
Many reservoirs in the Western US are aging and have lost habitat complexity due to a lack of woody recruitment, increased sedimentation, or changes in hydrology. Numerous variables can affect game fish abundance and size structure. One variable worth addressing at Rock Lake is in-lake habitat. Rock Lake lacks high-quality structural habitat in its littoral zone. Over 80% of the littoral area is open water, indicating a lack of habitat complexity. The addition of complex habitat structures in the littoral area would greatly benefit Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass and improve angler catch rates. A standard deep-water bundle (five structures in total) from Mossback ($1,650 per bundle) has a zone of influence of around 900 ft2. To increase the available habitat within the zone of deployment by 10%, we will deploy 39 deep water bundles.
Canyon Lake Habitat Enhancement, AZ
Arizona Game and Fish Department, Grant amount $30,000 with $52,500 in match
We propose installing 1,000 Christmas trees, 170 Mossback Conservation Cubes, 40 concrete Reef Balls, and 160 Mossback Safe Havens across 14 preselected sites in Canyon Lake, Arizona. Canyon Lake has had several habitat projects over the years, but many of the installed habitats have degraded. In the fall of 2026, the Salt River Project (SRP) is planning a drawdown of the reservoir for dam maintenance, which presents the Department with an opportunity to do a large-scale habitat project in January 2027. This project will benefit all sportfish species found within the reservoir, with an emphasis on Largemouth Bass and Yellow Bass.
Habitat Renovations at Chickamauga Reservoir, TN
Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, Grant amount, $19,801 with $49,084 in match
Chickamauga Reservoir was created in the 1940's. The habitat that was once present in the reservoir has declined significantly and degraded over time. This project will allow the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), to deploy some of this habitat in the reservoir. These funds would enable TWRA to construct and deploy artificial habitat structures to benefit ecology, angling, spawning, juvenile fish protection, and a tournament-release fish sanctuary. Deploy at least 20 artificial (for longevity purposes) fish habitat structures, that are at least 40 inches tall, at each of the 18 fish attractor sites on Chickamauga Reservoir by December 2026. Deploy at least 10 artificial fish habitat structures, that are at least 40 inches tall, at a minimum of 3 tournament release areas for fish sanctuary by December 2026. Deploy at least 10 artificial fish habitat structures that are at least 40 inches tall at a minimum of 3 statewide hatchery stocking sites for juvenile fish protection by December 2026. Deploy at least 20 artificial fish habitat structures, that are at least 40 inches tall, at a minimum of 3 major creek arms in natural spawning areas for juvenile fish protection by December 2026. Deploy at least 5 spawning sites, comprised of rock piles and smaller gravel spawning areas, by February 2027. Create at least 10 new fish attractor sites, comprised of artificial structures of at least 40 inches in height and rock piles, by December 2026.
About the National Fish Habitat Partnership:
Since 2006, NFHP has supported over 1,700 projects and has put over $600 million in conservation projects on the ground benefiting fish habitat throughout all 50 states. This effort works to conserve fish habitat nationwide, leveraging federal, state, tribal, and private funding resources to achieve the greatest effect on fish populations through priority conservation projects of 20 Fish Habitat Partnerships that are organized around key fish species, geographic areas, or important fish habitats. In 2020, NFHP was recognized by Congress as part of the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act and was reauthorized in 2024. NFHP guidance and policies are developed in conjunction with our partnerships and National Fish Habitat Board. For more information, visit: https://fishhabitat.org/.