Good habitat is vital for successful, healthy fisheries in both rivers and stillwaters. A fisheries management strategy should aim to provide sufficient natural cover from submerged and littoral vegetation for fish to be able to hide out of the way of predators, thus making the provision of artificial refuges unnecessary. The most cost effective way of minimising the impact of predators on any fish population is to ensure that the environment provides fish with the best opportunities to use their natural defence instincts.

Correctly applied habitat enhancements will provide substantial fisheries benefits. Such works could include the creation of marginal reed fringes, permanent overhead and in-stream cover, and off-channel areas (e.g. shallow pools, backwaters and ditches). A reduction in numbers of marked fish found during fisheries surveys of some southern chalk streams has been attributed to habitat enhancement works. (Useful reference texts on habitat enhancement work can be found in Other Info)