<p>Freshwater fish populations in simplified stream environments are increasingly threatened by habitat loss, predation, and human disturbance. To address these challenges, we applied a community-based restoration approach to the upper reaches of the Daiya River, Japan, where low-head dams have simplified the local river environment, leading to a loss of habitat. Drawing from prior experimental studies on artificial refuges, we collaborated with local elementary school children to install in-stream structures and stock hatchery-reared juvenile white-spotted charr (<i>Salvelinus leucomaenis</i>)<i>.</i> Using a mark-recapture framework and generalized linear mixed models, we examined how habitat features influenced fish settlement. Results demonstrated that structure presence significantly increased the post-stocking abundance of charr and enhanced settlement, with stocking zones with structures yielding up to fivefold higher recapture rates compared to areas without structures. The findings indicate the potential benefits of artificial structures in mitigating predation and creating de facto refuges from fishing pressure. Furthermore, the involvement of local children in restoration efforts underscores the potential of participatory conservation to foster environmental awareness and long-term stewardship. This study provides empirical evidence for scalable, socially inclusive restoration practices aimed at conserving stream-dwelling fish in degraded river systems.</p>