The Murg is a river that stretches from Baiersbronn to Steinmauern and has been intensively exploited and modified for economic purposes in recent centuries. This use initially consisted of the provision of hydropower for mills, rafting and fishing, and later also of the extraction of cooling water and the discharge of wastewater. This affected the course of the river and the aquatic organisms, which in turn had an impact on fishing.

Of the numerous fish species recorded in the Murg over the past centuries, salmon is of particular importance. This sought-after migratory fish had the highest value before its spawning run. Thus, as early as the 15th century, the respective territorial lords agreed on rules for fishing, the use of water power, and the handling of weirs and canals so that the salmon could swim up the Murg relatively unhindered.

In the short run, research into the historical fisheries and fishing industry in the Murg, commissioned by the Karlsruhe Regional Council, will serve as the basis for equipping a cycle path along the Murg with historically based information boards. In the long run, the project also provides historical background knowledge for the improvement of the river's ecology. Among other things, the riverbed of the Murg, which had developed into a canal over the course of industrialization, is to be renaturalized.