Stream restoration focuses on improving habitat for trout and other cold water species, including aquatic insects.

Tactics can include planting trees and shrubs along streams to reduce erosion while also increasing shade, strategic addition of boulders or trees to provide cover and improve water depth and flow, and removing or improving barriers that block fish passage, such as culverts and dams.

Trout Unlimited has also been active in opposing legislative efforts to transfer public lands from federal ownership.

Several hundred volunteers have been trained in the program and they have helped to identify a number of pollution events that were subsequently addressed.

Volunteers help teachers set up aquariums in the classrooms, and students raise trout from eggs during the school year.

The program supports ecology-related curriculum and helps to educate students in the importance of cold, clean water not only for trout, but also for people.

TU started a similar program for college students with the purpose of raising awareness for "public lands and native fish".

Chapters often undertake fundraising activities to pay for their restoration work, or they may seek grants through TU's Embrace a Stream program.