Spotlight: Eagle Creek Habitat Improvement Project (Savage, MN)

This spring, Minnesota Trout Unlimited (MNTU) will begin construction on a 2,000-foot trout stream habitat improvement project on Eagle Creek in Savage, located between Highway 13 and 126th Street. The primary goal is to enhance habitat for native brook trout while improving overall stream health in one of the Twin Cities metro’s most historically significant trout streams.

Eagle Creek holds a special place in Minnesota trout conservation. This project reach lies within the state’s first Aquatic Management Area, established through the leadership of the Twin Cities Trout Unlimited (TCTU). For decades, TCTU volunteers have played a critical role in caring for Eagle Creek through biological monitoring, invasive species removal, and stewardship – work that continues to support restoration today.

Restoring a Degraded Reach

Over time, this section of Eagle Creek has experienced habitat degradation driven by bank erosion, sediment accumulation, and the spread of invasive vegetation. These impacts have embedded spawning gravels and reduced habitat quality for coldwater macroinvertebrates and trout. Currently, natural brook trout reproduction is limited, requiring annual stocking by the MN DNR to maintain the fishery.

The upcoming restoration, designed by EOR, Inc., is based on a nearby ecological reference reach and supported by regional geomorphic data. Key objectives include:

• Floodplain Connection: Reconnecting the creek to its floodplain and improving channel sinuosity.
• Habitat Complexity: Restoring high-quality riffle and pool habitats with a focus on fishable trout water.
• Instream Cover: Increasing cover using toewood, logs, and natural rock.
• Riparian Health: Removing invasive plants and replacing them with diverse native species to support pollinators and wildlife.
• Resilience: Constructing floodplain benches to improve stability during high-flow events.

Looking Ahead

Ultimately, this project aims to restore natural brook trout reproduction, enhance stream function, and reduce the long-term need for stocking. By improving ecological health, the project also supports renewed coldwater angling opportunities in the Metro Twin Cities.

Construction is scheduled for this spring. Stay tuned for project updates, photos, and opportunities to get involved from MNTU and TCTU over the coming months as work gets underway on Eagle Creek.

Funding for this project is provided by the Outdoor Heritage Fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature and recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.