Intermittency, or the expansion and contraction of surface water, is a natural phenomenon in many streams and results in periods of time when portions of the stream are dry. However, the frequency of stream drying is increasing due to climate change and human water diversion. When stream drying occurs, drought refuges or areas that continue to retain water and buffer fish from the effects of drying become important for survival and persistence. I evaluated sensitivity, exposure, and vulnerability of 50 fish species to the effects of stream drying. I found that species vary in their sensitivity to streamflow magnitude and permanence, aligning with species traits, but not all species are exposed to or threatened by projected changes in streamflow. I also evaluated the ability of landscape-level models to predict fish use associated with reach-scale summer drought refuges in prairie streams. The results suggest that landscape-level models must be combined with on-the-ground data to best predict fish use during the summer dry season. Identifying species sensitivity and susceptibility to decline under future streamflow conditions as well as the best method for predicting reach-scale annual drought refuge, will lead to a better understanding of management actions needed to preserve fish biodiversity in the face of increased drought and stream drying.