URBANI FISHERIES, LLC
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    • Pond, Lake, & Wetland Methodologies
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Over 40 Years of Fisheries Enhancement, Management & Maintenance

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Our team of biologists, geohydrologists, engineers and aquatic ecologists bring with them decades of expertise and experience in enhancing, restoring and maintaining cold water fisheries in rivers, lakes, ponds and streams. 

We have restored over 140 miles of rivers and streams ranging from small creeks to major rivers, and created more than 200 lakes and ponds of sizes ranging from a half-acre to 15 acres. Cumulatively, we acquired extensive studies on the genetics and dynamics of aquatic invertebrate populations and how to successfully increase them in river and still water ecosystems.

Studying techniques include rapid bioassessment protocols, snorkel surveys, flexible line sampling, electrofishing, population estimates and age distribution, and monitoring change in aquatic invertebrate communities. Based on our observations, we make recommendations to improve water quality and aquatic habitat to maximize the ecological and recreational potential of streams and ponds.


Design-Build From Start to Finish

Our past fisheries management projects range from long-term studies and management plans to recommendations on the optimal fish species to introduce into specific environments.

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our natural maintenance products are also eco-friendly and available for sale via our website. Our end goal is always the creation of a cost-effective and appealing landscape that looks as natural as possible with, of course, lots of fish.

HOLISTIC MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH  ​

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 Our company is unique in that we use a holistic biological approach to create productive, diverse, and naturally functioning ecosystems.  We go a step further in understanding not just the biology at play, but also the engineering technicalities under special site conditions, without an engineers price tag.

By taking a multi disciplinary stand point, we recognize aspects of geohydrology and design engineering involved with large scale construction projects and incorporate the biological necessities into each project phase. This allows us to work efficiently with agencies, contractors, stakeholders, as well as mother nature to build thriving aquatic ecosystems that are biologically productive and diverse, while looking and functioning as it would in a natural setting. 

Our educated team bases restoration design and construction on this concept. Having a keen knowledge of biology, hydrology, geology, fluvial geomorphology, engineering concepts, and advanced angling, we will provide you with the best designed and constructed aquatic resource with an emphasis on species diversity, biological productivity, aesthetic appeal, 
with optimal recreational opportunities and no post-construction maintenance.






NO-HASSLE CONSTRUCTION 

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We prefer to be involved in the entire project from design and construction, to site re vegetation and fish introduction. This allows for improved efficiency by avoiding any communication gaps or transfer of ideas. We like to see resources put into actual ground work and not wasted on concepts. The experience of our staff guarantees no complications during construction and little residual disturbance afterwards.

Our passion is to create, restore, and enhance aquatic ecosystems from ponds to rivers so they are viable entities that blend in seamlessly with their natural surroundings ecologically and aesthetically, while simultaneously enhancing recreational use.

 "If you build it, they will come."
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Degraded Habitat and River Restoration

Urbani Fisheries has extensive experience with environmental restoration and enhancement of stream fisheries degraded by past land management practices and human development. We do this by focusing on key biological components.

Check out some of our past and ongoing restoration projects in our FIELDNOTES.
REHABILITATION PROJECTS

WE SPECIALIZE IN THE RESTORATION OF RIVERS, LAKES, PONDS, & STREAMS

Living Shorelines

Our approach to living shorelines emphasizes not only the need for a healthy aquatic and land ecosystem but recognizes the grey area in between. The small plants, invertebrates, and microorganisms living where the land meets the water are essential to sustaining healthy aquatic life. Our biologists do not simply assess the native fish populations when determining how to proceed with rehabilitation projects, but their food sources in these areas as well.

Creation of Spawning Habitat 

The design and construction of spawning habitat is an important consideration for most projects.  By implementing bed manipulation strategies, we create natural breeding areas that allow for streams, lakes, and ponds to become self-perpetuating fisheries where previously spawning was compromised or non-existent.

Living shorelines go hand-in-hand with spawning habitat and, in most projects, both the riparian zone and stream channel are simultaneously enhanced to create a living shoreline that ensures the entire stream ecosystem is healthy and stable. The newly created environment will provide habitat for aquatic, avian, and terrestrial wildlife, contributing to the overall productivity of the larger ecosystem and, of course, lots of fish!

TESTIMONIALS

"I can't thank you and the guys enough for your great work! I am so excited for the future of both rivers. We have made such an improvement to the habitat. I couldn't be more proud of the two projects! All my best."

-Michael L. Bateman


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"In 2012 I hired Urbani Fisheries LLC to restore a section of river along my property. ​Today the whole aquatic system is better off and I have caught some of the biggest fish of my life. They use a holistic approach and work well with all the players to get the job done."
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​-A. Cooke (New Jersey)



"In 2011 the Raritan Associates, a very old fly fishing club on the North Branch of the Raritan river in New Jersey, contracted with Urbani Fisheries, LLC to do some major stream  habitat improvement  & restoration work on the stream. This work included deepening certain pools, building rock weirs and placing boulder clusters in certain parts of the stream to create pocket water generally increase aquatic invertebrate habitat. Joe Urbani and our club worked very closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service with whom we had a WHIP contract to help finance this important work on the North Branch.

The actual work took place over about a ten day period during which time Joe Urbani and his top flight crew were on site each day as the restoration work was implemented in accordance with an approved plan. Urbani Fisheries built approximately 16 pools and used the spoils to build point bars for the purpose of narrowing the channel cross-section. Likewise, banks were stabilized with boulders and plantings in order to mitigate erosion. 

During the entire process Joe Urbani and his crew were professional, competent, caring and thorough in all their work. The end result is a dramatically improved fishery and a restored trout habitat that has produced a superb fly fishing experience for our membership."

-B. Danforth Ely- President, Raritan Associates    


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Contact us

(406) 587-0588
Address: 198 North Star Lane Bozeman, MT 59718
Fax: (406) 585-9126


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  • Home
  • Approach
  • Process
    • Pond, Lake, & Wetland Methodologies
    • Stream & River Methodologies
  • Other Service Areas
  • Results
  • Our Team
  • Store
  • Contact
  • Fieldnotes