N. stigmosus can be found in the Ohio River valley stretching into distinct locations in Canada, where it is considered endangered.

One of the leading management actions aiding in the successful reproduction of this species is keeping the waters void of sediment pollution and habitat alterations.

[4] The northern madtom is also found along the Allegheny River system running from Canada through the Northeastern United States to Tennessee.

In the northern extent of its distribution, the species is found more in larger rivers and even in a few lentic environments such as Lake St.

[4] However, in the lower most stretches of its range, such as in Tennessee, the species is generally more common in small creeks and streams with a somewhat moderate current.

The wide range of clutch size can possibly be caused by females laying eggs in multiple nests.

[4] The northern madtom is a cavity-nesting species; they have been found in depressions under large rocks, logs, and inside crayfish burrows.

[3] Several factors contribute to this, ranging from the changing of the landscape for anthropogenic purposes to the building of small dams in the creeks where the species occurs.

Because so little information is available regarding the habitat requirements and life history strategies of N. stigmosus, little to no management is occurring that specifically targets the species.