Our mission is conserving and restoring migratory fish and resident aquatic species in the Connecticut River basin, and protecting the lakes, rivers, and wetlands where they live.

Latest News

a panoramic photo of a pond ringed by spruce and fir trees
Our Partners
Take me to the Connecticut River
Conservation organizations working throughout the Connecticut River watershed have long taken a cue from the river, joining forces to grow their collective impact. Now, partners are charting a strategic course, navigating new opportunities to collaborate. 
Image of dam with bridge overhead and fish passage structures in the foreground
Energy
Service and partners file settlement agreement with FirstLight for improved fish passage, flows
Partners have reached a milestone in the relicensing process for two hydropower facilities on the Connecticut River in Massachusetts.
A graphic showing a red stop sign with a boat on a ramp.
Recreation
Clean, Drain, Dry
Preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species starts with all of us. By working together we can protect our aquatic resources and recreational opportunities for future generations.
Dam along the Potomac River with a small boat in the water
Wildlife Management
Reconnecting American Eel Migrations
American eel are the only freshwater eel species found in North America and they have an extraordinary life cycle. They will migrate thousands of miles from freshwater rivers and streams to the ocean. Discover what the Coastal Program is doing along the Potomac River to help eels migrate beyond...
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About Us

We are working to restore migratory fish and resident aquatic species in the Connecticut River basin especially river herring (blueback herring and alewife), American shad, American eel, Atlantic sturgeon and shortnose sturgeon. We are also working with dam-owners on relicensing hyrdroelectric projects to minimize impacts to the environment and migratory fishes.

What We Do

USFWS staff measuring fish during electrofishing survey
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The Connecticut River Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office works to restore and protect habitat for the migratory fish and resident aquatic species in the Connecticut River basin. We restore important habitat and fish connectivity between streams, rivers and lakes. Our projects improve water quality, help increase abundance of fish, and sustain the economic and recreational benefits derived from fishing and recreating in our public waters.

If you would like to see the Connecticut River migratory fish counts, click here.

Our Organization

A man is fishing in a boat with three young girls. The kids are excitedly pulling a fish out of the water.
The Fish and Aquatic Conservation programs work together to deliver resilient habitats, healthy fish, connected people, and strong partnerships. From habitat restoration to aquatic invasive species prevention, captive breeding to population assessment and monitoring, our programs are driven by the...
Program
Falls Church,VA
A person is walks through a large wide culvert that passes under a gravel road. A small river runs through the culvert.
Across the country, millions of barriers are fragmenting rivers, blocking fish migration, and putting communities at higher risk to flooding. Removing those barriers is one of the most effective ways to help conserve vulnerable species while building safer infrastructure for people. The National...
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

Our Species

Alewife and blueback herring from the Connecticut River
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  • Alewife
  • American eel
  • American shad
  • Blueback herring
  • Atlantic sturgeon
  • Shortnose sturgeon

Projects and Research

Connecticut River Basin Fishway Passage Counts 

Map of Connecticut River watershed.
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We are monitoring fish populations, cooperating on research studies, removing obstacles to migration, creating fishways so fish can migrate around dams, and boosting dwindling populations with fish from other stable populations.

Our Library

Our staff publish plans, reports and research that is available for viewing. Here is a listing of some recent publications:

USFWS Connecticut River Basin Annual Report - 2022
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USFWS Connecticut River Basin Annual Report - 2022
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USFWS Connecticut River Basin Annual Report - 2020
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USFWS Connecticut River Basin Annual Report - 2020

Aid Project # F-100-R-37 States: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont Project Title: Connecticut River Basin Anadromous Fish Restoration: Coordination and Technical Assistance Period Covered: October 1, 2019 - September 30, 2020 This annual report provides an opportunity to...

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USFWS Connecticut River Basin Annual Report - 2021
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USFWS Connecticut River Basin Annual Report - 2021

Executive SummaryFederal Aid Project # F-100-R-38 States: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont Project Title: Connecticut River Basin Anadromous Fish Restoration: Coordination and Technical Assistance Period Covered: October 1, 2020 - September 30, 2021...

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CTR River Herring Spawning Stock Assessments 2013-2017
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CTR River Herring Spawning Stock Assessments 2013-2017

Introduction Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and Blueback Herring (Alosa aestivalis) are anadromous fish species that are collectively referred to as river herring. Blueback Herring are known to range from the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence (Canada) southward to the St. Johns River, Florida (...

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Connecticut River American Shad Plan 2020
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Connecticut River American Shad Plan 2020

INTRODUCTION The Connecticut River population of American Shad has been cooperatively managed by the basin state and federal fishery agencies since 1967. In that year the “Policy Committee for Fishery Management of the Connecticut River Basin” was formed in response to the passage of the 1965...

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Get Involved

Volunteers performing laboratory processing of river herring.
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Discover for yourself what tens of thousands of volunteers have learned: Volunteering for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is fun and rewarding in many ways. Master new skills. Meet new friends. Enjoy a sense of accomplishment from doing your part to further wildlife conservation for the pleasure of generations to follow. Check out our station's latest volunteer opportunities on volunteer.gov or contact us at (413) 548-9138. We can accommodate a few volunteers per season, whether they are official internships for school credit or just looking for the experience.

Location and Contact Information