Fisheries Habitat Grant Program

The Fisheries Habitat Grant Program supports a variety of activities to benefit fisheries, aquatic resources, and the public, including fish habitat conservation, dam removal and repair, and access to recreation. Funded through the Game and Fish Protection Fund (aquatic habitat conservation theme) and the State of Michigan general fund (dam management theme), the program aims to protect and restore critical aquatic ecosystems across Michigan.

Competitive projects will address causes of habitat degradation as opposed to symptoms, provide long-lasting benefits, address needs on the Fisheries Priority Habitat Conservation Projects list, demonstrate cost-effectiveness, use appropriate methods, monitor project outcomes, address health and human safety for dam management, and/or address research and assessment needs to inform future habitat conservation. Eligible applications addressing projects on the priority list may receive preference, and potential partners are expected to consult with DNR staff when choosing and developing proposed projects.

The application process requires initial consultation with DNR staff, followed by the submittal of a pre-proposal. Pre-proposals are evaluated by DNR staff, and selected applicants are invited to submit full grant applications through the MiGrants online system. Full applications are evaluated by DNR staff, with final approval of grant awards determined by the DNR director.