Land-clearing has resulted in changes to aquatic habitat with serious implications for taxa reliant on hard substrate including silt free substratum for nesting. We tested the suitability of nest box modifications (single and double entrance; nest box orientation) in hatchery pond experiments and customised nest boxes for application to the threatened Eastern freshwater cod which persists in high energy upland rivers. Unequivocally cod preferred single entrance over the conventional dual entrance design, and fish bred on inclined surfaces in hatchery ponds. Our experiences with design, manufacture, deployment and success of nest boxes in the field, yielded several insights for progressing this form of habitat supplementation. Our presentation will encompass these learnings and use it as a platform for discussion among researchers and managers that are aiming to bolster fisheries of nesting fishes and protect threatened species with similar reproductive characteristics.