Custom Built Nesting Pods for Northern Madtom

The Northern Madtom (Noturus stigmosus) is a small, secretive freshwater catfish belonging to the family Ictaluridae. Native to parts of North America, this species is primarily found in rivers and streams within the Ohio River basin and the Great Lakes region, including southern Ontario, Canada.

We developed these artificial nesting pods to support the conservation of cavity-nesting species like the Northern Madtom. These pods provide secure nesting sites, encouraging the fish to lay eggs while protecting their nests from predators and competition. This innovative conservation tool helps promote successful breeding and population recovery for the elusive Northern Madtom.