CDFW News

WCB Approves $80.4 Million for Wildlife Connectivity, Salmon Recovery, Biodiversity and Public Access Projects

Thu, 28 May 2026 15:22:01 GMT

Funding Will Protect Biodiversity Hotspots and Expand Access to Nature Across California

The Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) approved $80,450,797 in grants for 23 projects across 16 counties to protect biodiversity, restore wildlife habitat and expand public access to nature. The board met today at the California Natural Resources Agency headquarters in Sacramento.

Among these, seven projects advance the California Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future (PDF), restoring floodplains, improving stream function and enhancing habitat for coho salmon, Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. Projects also include investments in wildlife corridors, wildfire resiliency, wildlife-oriented recreation and butterfly pollinators.

WCB’s grants advance Gov. Gavin Newsom’s goal of conserving 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030, a globally adopted target known as 30x30. The initiative seeks to protect biodiversity, expand access to nature for all Californians and adapt to climate change.

Investing in the Governor’s Salmon Strategy

A $29.3 million grant to the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), in cooperation with the Sutter Extension Water District (SEWD) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, will remove the Sunset Weir on the Feather River near Live Oak in Sutter County. The project will restore fish passage to 28.5 miles of upstream habitat for Central Valley Chinook salmon, steelhead and green sturgeon. It will also restore more natural flow patterns, reconnect sediment movement and improve overall river function. Additional work includes fish screens, diversion upgrades and bank stabilization.

“We’ve talked about removing Sunset Weir for decades. This funding and our partnership with SEWD will finally make it possible,” said James Newcomb, deputy director of natural infrastructure and ecosystem resilience with DWR. “This project restores more natural river function while continuing to support local water management needs.”

A $4 million grant to California Trout Inc. (CalTrout) will restore approximately 500 acres of historic tidal marsh on the Cannibal Island Unit of the Eel River Wildlife Area in Humboldt County. The project will reconnect the site to tidal flow by removing fill and outdated infrastructure, improving habitat for coho salmon, Chinook salmon, steelhead and other native species while increasing resilience to sea level rise.

“The Eel River estuary is one of California’s most important coastal ecosystems for native fish and local communities, and Cannibal Island sits right at its heart,” said Christine Davis, North Coast regional manager of CalTrout. “With WCB’s investment, we can restore tidal flow, improve flood resilience and rebuild the habitat juvenile salmon and steelhead need to recover.”

A $2.96 million grant to the Watershed Research and Training Center (WRTC) will restore 27 acres of floodplain and riparian habitat on Salt Creek in Trinity County, a tributary to the Klamath River. The project will reconnect the creek to its floodplain, improve habitat complexity for salmonids and reduce erosion risks to nearby infrastructure while improving groundwater and summer baseflow conditions. The Yurok Tribe Construction Corporation will conduct all heavy equipment grading and construction tasks.

“Restoring cool summer baseflow, fish passage, groundwater connectivity and floodplain function at the mouth of Salt Creek are foundational elements for improving salmon and steelhead habitat throughout the watershed,” said Joshua Smith, watershed stewardship program director for WRTC. “This site has been heavily damaged by mining, but it represents one of the largest groundwater recharge opportunities for salmonids in the basin, and WCB support is crucial.”

Enhancing Biodiversity, Resilience and Public Access at Park Ranch

An $8 million grant to Western Rivers Conservancy (WRC) and Alpine County will acquire 1,688 acres near Markleeville to protect wet meadows, springs, riparian habitat, mixed conifer forest and sage-steppe in the Eastern Sierra. The property provides habitat for Lahontan cutthroat trout, Sierra Nevada red fox, western bumblebee and monarch butterfly, while improving connectivity with nearby public lands. Alpine County plans to manage the property for conservation and year-round public access, including hiking, fishing, hunting and winter recreation. Continued grazing will help reduce fuel loads and support wildfire resilience.

“We are deeply grateful to the Wildlife Conservation Board for its commitment to the East Fork Carson River, Alpine County and all who depend on and care about this outstanding river,” said Nelson Mathews, president of WRC. “Conserving Park Ranch will help protect cold water for native fish, safeguard an important migration corridor for mule deer and other wildlife, build wildfire resiliency and preserve the scenic character that makes the East Fork Carson such a special place.”

“This funding will create a permanent, community-managed wildlife preserve that reduces wildfire risk through compatible grazing and expands public access for future generations,” said Samuel R. Booth, Alpine County executive officer.

Protecting Connected Landscapes in Southern California

A $5.9 million grant to the Endangered Habitats Conservancy (EHC) will acquire 1,226 acres near Jamul in San Diego County to protect habitat supporting species including Hermes copper butterfly, Quino checkerspot butterfly and California red-legged frog. The property strengthens a regional wildlife corridor linking conserved lands across eastern San Diego County and expands long-term habitat protection within the Skyline conservation complex.

“The Skyline North Phase II project will conserve a large, biologically diverse and beautiful landscape of oak woodland, riparian and chaparral communities,” said Michael Beck, executive director of EHC. “This acquisition protects a critical regional wildlife linkage supporting threatened species including the Hermes copper butterfly, southwestern pond turtle and California red-legged frog.”

Expanding Pollinator Habitat and Landscape Connectivity

A $1.87 million grant to the Sierra Resource Conservation District (SRCD) will restore 100 acres of pollinator and riparian habitat and establish more than 26,000 linear feet of hedgerows across Fresno County. The project supports monarch butterfly conservation while improving habitat connectivity across agricultural and urban landscapes.

“Immense habitat loss and ecosystem disruption throughout the San Joaquin Valley threatens our region’s resiliency and quality of life. Cultural knowledge of these ecosystems and how to steward them is at risk of being lost,” said Leierin Carney, restoration projects manager for the Sierra Resource Conservation District. “By expanding habitat across farms, school sites and county parks, and supporting trainings rooted in Traditional Ecological Knowledge, this project will help build the next generation of land stewards.”

About the Wildlife Conservation Board

Established in 1947, the Wildlife Conservation Board protects, restores and enhances California’s spectacular natural resources for wildlife and the public’s use and enjoyment. WCB works in partnership with Tribes, conservation groups, government agencies and the people of California to safeguard biodiversity and expand access to nature.

For more information about WCB, visit wcb.ca.gov. To explore the newly funded projects, visit WCB’s StoryMaps pages.

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Media Contact:
Mark Topping, WCB Communications, (916) 539-4673

Chinook Fishing to Reopen on Klamath, Trinity and Sacramento Rivers After 3-Year Closure

Tue, 12 May 2026 16:02:59 GMT

Following three consecutive years of closure, salmon fishing will return to the Klamath River Basin and Sacramento River for the upcoming summer and fall seasons. More good news comes for inland anglers with a full season on the Feather, American and Mokelumne rivers after a shortened season in 2025. These added fishing opportunities come as a result of an increase in numbers of adult Chinook salmon returning from the ocean to the Klamath Basin and Central Valley.

The California Fish and Game Commission at its May 6 meeting adopted amendments to sport fishing regulations specifying season dates, bag and possession limits for the Klamath River Basin and Central Valley, and a quota for the Klamath and Trinity rivers. The adopted regulations aim to protect salmon as populations are expected to continue to rebound as a result of actions guided by California's Salmon Strategy for a Hotter Drier Future (PDF).

“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is incredibly encouraged to see our public and private collaborative efforts pay off, allowing us to expand opportunities for California’s dedicated angling community while maintaining a steadfast commitment to long-term population recovery,” said CDFW Director Meghan Hertel. “It is a moment of genuine celebration for everyone invested in the health of our watersheds. CDFW looks forward to seeing anglers return to the Klamath Basin and Central Valley for fishing and fun on the river.”

Increases in hatchery production, investments in salmon research and habitat restoration projects, a series of good water years, dam removals and inland and ocean fishery closures have all aligned to bring Chinook and with that, Chinook fishing, back to the Klamath River Basin and Central Valley.

For the Klamath Basin, fishing will open for late spring-run Chinook salmon July 1 and will continue until Aug. 14 on the Klamath River and Aug. 31 on the Trinity River. Fall-run Chinook salmon fishing will begin on Aug. 15 on the Klamath River and Sept. 1 on the Trinity River and continue until Dec. 31. The fall-run adult quota is 3,248 fish, though fishing for jacks will continue after the adult quota is met. For the late spring-run salmon fishery, the daily bag limit is one fish of any size and the possession limit is two fish. For the fall-run salmon fishery, the daily bag limit is two fish, only one of which can be an adult greater than 23 inches; the possession limit is six fish, of which only three may be adults greater than 23 inches.

For the Central Valley, the general fall-run salmon fishing season will open on July 16 and close on Dec. 16, with some variation for upper and lower stretches of the rivers. For each tributary a daily bag limit of two fish and a possession limit of four fish of any size has been set.

All regulations, season dates and boundaries will be printed in the Freshwater Sport Fishing Regulations (PDF) when available.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council finalized its recommendations for California’s recreational and commercial ocean salmon seasons and harvest limits at its April 7-12 meeting. For more information about the 2026 ocean salmon fishing season, see the press release.

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Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Sheena Holley, CDFW Fisheries Branch

California Red-Legged Frog Recovery Reaches 10-Year Milestone in Yosemite

Thu, 07 May 2026 15:06:12 GMT

10,000 frogs released through multiagency conservation effort

The California red-legged frog, a federally threatened species absent from Yosemite National Park for decades, has made a significant comeback after 10 years of coordinated conservation work.

Partners marked the milestone today with the symbolic release of the program’s 10,000th frog in Yosemite Valley.

The recovery effort is led by the National Park Service in collaboration with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Yosemite Conservancy and San Francisco Zoo & Gardens.

“This milestone reflects years of focused work to restore a species that plays an important role in the park’s ecosystem,” said Rob Grasso, aquatic ecologist at Yosemite National Park. “After invasive bullfrogs eliminated red-legged frogs from the area decades ago, we removed those threats and created conditions for recovery. Today, multiple generations of frogs are established in Yosemite Valley.”

Invasive American bullfrogs, introduced to the park, drove the species’ decline. Elevated raccoon populations, fueled by open refuse sites that remained in use until the 1970s, also contributed to the loss. Park staff spent decades removing bullfrogs, while habitat improvements tied to the Merced River Plan restored wetlands, streambanks and river systems critical to the frog’s survival.

“Our partners have been essential to the recovery of the California red-legged frog,” said Kim Turner, acting field supervisor for the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office. “We appreciate the progress made over the past decade and remain committed to this collaborative effort.”

During the May 7 event, speakers will deliver remarks near Yosemite Falls before releasing several zoo-reared frogs, including the program’s symbolic 10,000th frog, nicknamed “Twain.”

“The California Department of Fish and Wildlife is proud to have assisted the recovery of California’s official state amphibian in Yosemite,” said Laura Patterson, amphibian and reptile conservation coordinator for the Department. “Grants administered by the Department, using funds approved by the voters of California, facilitated the habitat restoration necessary for the success of this recovery effort.”

A key component of the effort is a dedicated rearing facility established in San Francisco in 2016 through a partnership between the National Park Service and the San Francisco Zoological Society. At the facility, staff raise frogs from wild-collected eggs to one- and two-year-old juveniles in a controlled environment before releasing them into the park.

The program is supported by the Zoo-Park Partnership Program, facilitated by the Wildlife Restoration Foundation, and is considered a model for species recovery in California.

“When the program began in 2016, no California red-legged frogs remained in Yosemite Valley,” said Dr. Rochelle Stiles, director of field conservation at the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens. “Today, every frog in the valley traces back to this effort. Despite drought, severe winters and flooding, the population has proven resilient.”

This year, the zoo plans to release about 830 juvenile frogs into Yosemite while raising approximately 600 eggs for future release.

“Protecting vulnerable species helps preserve the park’s natural balance,” said Cassius Cash, president of Yosemite Conservancy. “This milestone shows what sustained collaboration can achieve.”

The effort also relied on private landowner Diane Buchholz of Garden Valley, Calif., who allowed researchers to collect frog eggs from her property.

The California red-legged frog gained national recognition in The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County by Mark Twain. The species, the largest native frog in the western United States, grows 2 to 5 inches long and is known for its reddish underside and soft, short calls. It inhabits ponds, streams and wet meadows.

About the National Park Service Established in 1916, the National Park Service preserves America’s most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of current and future generations. ;Learn more at nps.gov.

About the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube and Flickr.

About the California Department of Fish and Wildlife The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s mission is to protect California's diverse fish, wildlife and plant resources, and the habitats upon which they depend, for their ecological values and enjoyment by the public today and for generations to come. For more information visit wildlife.ca.gov or follow CDFW on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

About San Francisco Zoo & Gardens Established in 1929, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens connects people to wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action. An urban oasis, SF Zoo is home to nearly 1,500 exotic, endangered and rescued animals representing about 150 species. Located at the edge of the Pacific Ocean at Sloat Boulevard, the Zoo is open 365 days a year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (4 p.m. in the winter). Visit www.sfzoo.org for more information.

About Yosemite Conservancy For more than 100 years, Yosemite Conservancy has supported the conservation of Yosemite’s natural and cultural resources and helped people develop a deeper relationship to the park. Thanks to generous donors, in recent years, the Conservancy has provided more than $180 million in grants to Yosemite for more than 950 projects. In 2026, we are providing $19 million in total support and funding around 60 new grants to the National Park Service for projects in the park. The Conservancy’s guided adventures and art classes, donor events, volunteer opportunities, wilderness services and bookstores help people from across the country and world connect with Yosemite. Learn more at yosemite.org.

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Media Contacts:
Yosemite National Park
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Nancy Chan, San Francisco Zoo & Gardens, (415) 840-6065
Peter Bartelme, Yosemite Conservancy

State's Salmon Strategy Moves Forward with $10 Million for Salmon and Steelhead Habitat Restoration Projects, New 2026 Funding Opportunity

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 15:36:24 GMT

As part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s comprehensive strategy to restore and rebuild California’s salmon population, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has selected 16 projects to receive funding for the restoration, enhancement and protection of salmon and steelhead (anadromous salmonid) habitat in California watersheds. The total funding for these projects amounts to more than $10 million in grant awards.

Projects were awarded through CDFW’s Fisheries Restoration Grant Program (FRGP). This program was first established in 1981 and since 2000, has included funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, established by Congress to reverse the declines of Pacific salmon and steelhead throughout California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska. These awards also include funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act to help support the recovery, conservation and resilience of Pacific salmon and steelhead.

These projects will conserve and recover California’s salmon, furthering the objectives laid out in the California Salmon Strategy for Hotter, Drier Future (PDF). The actions outlined in the report lay the groundwork for California to restore and rebuild salmon populations, improve salmon habitat and utilize the best available science and management practices to prepare for the future.

“These investments are another step forward to help California salmon,” said Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot. “The projects we’re funding will improve the health of creeks and rivers across the state, which will help salmon survive through climate change and benefit all who depend on health salmon fisheries. I’m proud of this progress, with much more work ahead.”

Examples of projects awarded under FRGP this year include removing three coastal stream fish passage barriers that will open over 7 miles of previously inaccessible river habitat in direct support of the Salmon Strategy. Additionally, FRGP continues support for popular annual Salmonid Restoration Conferences in 2027 and 2028 to offer technical education workshops and teach habitat restoration techniques to landowners, scientists, students and tribal members to contribute to protection and restoration of the salmon and steelhead population.

Among these 16 projects, the South Yuba River Citizens League was awarded $1,817,011 for the Upper Long Bar Salmonid Rearing Habitat Restoration Project. The project will restore eight acres on the Yuba River to improve juvenile rearing habitat to support diverse life histories, increased growth and survival of spring- and fall-run Chinook salmon and California Central Valley steelhead.

Trout Unlimited was awarded $717,463 for the Chamberlain Creek Instream Habitat Enhancement Project that will increase stream complexity and pool frequency and depth to improve rearing habitat for Coho salmon and steelhead trout. These stream features will be achieved through the installation of 114 large wood structures on the project’s 2.56-mile reach on Chamberlain Creek.

“We are thrilled to be able to partner with the staff at Jackson Demonstration State Forest on this important salmon restoration effort in Chamberlain Creek,” said Trout Unlimited North Coast Coho Project Manager Nicole Herrera. “This project on the Big River watershed will implement a recovery action identified by NOAA and CDFW in the Salmonid Habitat Restoration Priorities Action Plan.”

“These projects are implementing Salmon Strategy actions in real time. From restoring thousands of acres of habitat to improving migration pathways, advancing science-based flow management and using cutting-edge technology, actions taken from the Salmon Strategy work,” said CDFW Acting Director Valerie Termini. “We continue to see salmon and steelhead return to many California rivers and streams where they have not been seen in decades.”

In response to the 2025 FRGP solicitation, CDFW received 53 proposals requesting more than $49 million in funding. The proposals underwent a thorough technical review involving subject matter experts from CDFW and NOAA. For additional information and a complete list of all FRGP-awarded projects, visit FRGP's funded project summaries page.

The FRGP is now accepting concept proposals for the 2026 grant solicitation. Proposals will be accepted no later than March 2, 2026, through the CDFW WebGrants Portal.

CDFW will hold an online public workshop on February 4, 2026, to provide an overview of the solicitation. Workshop attendance is not a requirement for submitting a proposal. Visit the FRGP solicitation page for guidelines and workshop information, or contact FRGP@wildlife.ca.gov with any questions.

Highlighted Project Summaries

Bouverie Dam Removal for Fish Passage
($367,249 to All Hands Ecology)

Bouverie Dam is the final man-made barrier to unimpeded fish passage on Stuart Creek, a major tributary to Sonoma Creek. The dam removal restores access to pristine high quality rearing habitat and cool climate refugia for juvenile salmonids.

Watershed Stewards Program Statewide Monitoring and Enhancement
($731,689 to California Conservation Corps Watershed Stewards Program in partnership with AmeriCorps)

The California Conservation Corps Watershed Stewards Program (WSP) in partnership with AmeriCorps will engage 44 WSP Corpsmembers across California to monitor and enhance anadromous watersheds through fisheries/habitat surveys, riparian restoration, community education/engagement and by providing participants with insight into the environmental science field.

2025 Mainstem Buckeye Creek Instream Enhancement Project
($131,216 to The Conservation Fund)

This project restores salmonid habitat by placing 55 pieces of large wood at 21 structure sites to increase stream complexity, high flow refugia, pool frequency, and rearing habitat for salmonids.

Upper Klamath River Design and Planning Project - Beaver Creek
($739,196 to Mid Klamath Watershed Council)

This project will develop a 100% level fisheries restoration design on 7 miles of Beaver Creek. The project area has approximately 50 acres of low-lying floodplain that is disconnected due to channel constraint. The design would improve conditions for spawning and rearing fish by connecting floodplains and improving habitat structures.

Lower South Fork Cottaneva Instream Habitat Improvement Project
($394,154 to Eel River Watershed Improvement Group)

Goals of this project are to improve habitat complexity with the construction of 38 large wood structures along 1.2 miles of South Fork Cottaneva Creek, Rockport Creek, and an unnamed tributary to Rockport Creek. This will increase pool and flatwater shelter and capture woody debris and sediment.

Cachagua Creek Fish Passage Alternative Plan/Design Project - Quevedo
($184,774 to Trout Unlimited)

This project will provide a design plan to remediate an existing migration barrier in this important tributary to the Carmel River. The current ford is a partial migration barrier for all life stages of steelhead. The removal and replacement with a free span bridge will improve migration conditions in this reach of Cachagua Creek.

Bridge Creek - California Conservation Corps Large Wood Coho Habitat Enhancement Project
($424,247 to California Conservation Corps - Ukiah)

The project will improve salmonid habitat in Bridge Creek through the introduction of large wood features. Large wood features will be constructed by California Conservation Corps hand crews without the use of heavy machinery.

Hydrology to Habitat: Critical Steelhead Restoration Assessments in San Luis Obispo Creek Watershed
($582,511 to Creek Lands Conservation)

The project will collect data and conduct landowner outreach required to identify and advance transformative steelhead habitat restoration projects on San Lois Obispo Creek and its major tributaries, including fish passage improvements, steelhead rearing habitat enhancement, estuary restoration and streamflow enhancement. Data will include barrier assessments, engineering barrier analysis, ecologically critical streamflow monitoring, water quality and steelhead mark and recapture.

2027 and 2028 Salmonid Restoration Conferences
($191,988 to Salmonid Restoration Federation)

The 2027 and 2028 Salmonid Restoration Conferences will offer technical education workshops and teach habitat restoration techniques to practitioners, landowners, agency personnel, scientists, students, tribal members and consultants to contribute to protection and restoration of anadromous salmonids. Each conference includes intensive workshops, field tours, 9-12 concurrent sessions and keynotes to recovery strategies in state and federal salmonid recovery plans.

Upper South Fork Eel River Instream Habitat Improvement Project
($854,222 to Eel River Watershed Improvement Group)

This habitat improvement project will improve ecological complexity along 3.5 miles of the South Fork Eel River by installing 41 large wood structures composed of 166 logs and 202 boulders, which will help create a natural habitat setting.

Arroyo Seco River Fish Passage Project - Sycamore Flats
($1,288,949 to Trout Unlimited, Inc.)

The project will remove an existing concrete vehicle ford which spans the Arroyo Seco River. The completed project will eliminate a priority migration barrier and improve conditions for federally threatened South Central Coast steelhead trout on the Arroyo Seco River in Monterey County.

Lower San Luis Obispo Creek Floodplain Preserve Steelhead Habitat Enhancement Project
($267,872 to The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County)

The project will prepare 100% of engineering designs and submit all necessary permit applications to restore more natural conditions along the lower mainstem of San Luis Obispo Creek on The Land Conservancy's Lower San Luis Obispo Creek Floodplain Preserve Properties. These habitat enhancements will increase the amount and quality of steelhead juvenile rearing habitat, fry rearing habitat and winter refuge habitat to support the steelhead population within the San Luis Obispo Creek watershed.

Green Valley Creek Off-Channel Habitat Enhancement at Sweetwater Nursery
($829,943 to Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District)

The project will connect an existing floodplain pond to Green Valley Creek via an excavated connector channel to allow free access to off-channel winter habitat for juvenile salmonids. The off-channel pond will provide high-quality wetland habitat throughout the majority of winter and spring that will be used by out-migrating salmon to forage and rear. The project will also see habitat improvements as a result of the installation of engineered log jams to drive pool development and provide woody cover.

Elk Creek Fish Passage and Sediment Reduction Project
($521,718 to Smith River Alliance)

The project will restore fish passage and migration access to spawning and rearing Coho salmon by replacing an existing undersized culvert with an 8-foot-diameter culvert with a natural channel bottom. The culvert upgrade is one part of a larger project that will restore fish passage at six barriers in the headwaters of Elk Creek. Riparian plants will be installed in areas impacted by construction and currently lacking riparian cover.

The awarded projects advance the objectives of state and federal fisheries recovery plans that focus on removing barriers to fish migration, restoring riparian habitat, recovering wildfire impacts detrimental to rivers and creating a more resilient and sustainably managed water resources system (e.g., water supply, water quality and habitat) that can better withstand drought conditions. These projects further the goals of the California Water Resilience Portfolio, State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) page, California’s Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future and fulfillment of CDFW’s mission (PDF).

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Media Contacts:
Matt Wells, Watershed Restoration Grants Branch, (916) 216-7848
Steve Gonzalez, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714

Naturally Reproduced Coho Salmon Found in Russian River’s Upper Basin for the First Time in Decades

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:15:21 GMT

Discovery in Isolated Pool Prompts Fish Rescue by Pinoleville Pomo Nation and CDFW

In case you missed it:

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom last week celebrated a monumental achievement for California as salmon are making a comeback in Northern California. This summer, several juvenile Coho salmon were spotted in the Russian River’s upper basin — a first in more than 30 years. California has recently marked significant progress in its comprehensive strategy to help these threatened and endangered salmon species recover — all the more critical as protections for endangered species have been rolled back at the federal level.

“California’s salmon strategy is about more than restoring a species — it’s about restoring an entire way of life,” said Newsom. “It’s about honoring tribal sovereignty, protecting the ecosystems that define this state, and doing the hard, generational work to make sure these rivers still run for our kids and grandkids. The return of this species to the Russian River demonstrates a new win in our strategy to preserve a healthy and sustainable future for all.”

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced that juvenile Coho salmon were spotted in a tributary of the Russian River in Mendocino County by a Pinoleville Pomo Nation water specialist — the first observation confirming natural reproduction of Coho in the Russian River’s upper basin since 1991. Governor Gavin Newsom’s Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future, coupled with beneficial wet weather conditions, is supporting California’s struggling salmon populations as they return to historical habitats like the Russian River.

The Coho discovery was a sign of recovery for the endangered species, but it also called for swift action to ensure their survival.

Snorkeling in an isolated pool on Ackerman Creek north of Ukiah in June, Pinoleville Pomo Nation Environmental Protection Agency Water Resources Specialist Dakota Perez Gonzalez discovered young Coho salmon. These fish, as well as juvenile steelhead trout and Chinook salmon, were disconnected from surface water flow and other suitable habitat and likely to perish when the pool eventually dried up.

Strong Regional Partnerships

To help the species continue to thrive, Pinoleville Pomo Nation and CDFW partnered for a rescue effort when it was discovered that these juvenile fish had become stranded in an isolated and drying pool.

“Pinoleville Pomo Nation respects the relationship of traditional ecological knowledge, passed down through generations, while learning about contemporary conservation practices,” said Pinoleville Pomo Nation Vice Chairperson Angela James. “We honor Mother Earth by protecting the sustainability of our natural resources. Our Tribal Citizens currently utilize every cultural resource Ackerman Creek provides for us. By actively engaging in habitat restoration, water quality monitoring and the preservation of native species, we reaffirm our commitment to the health of the Ackerman Creek for future generations.”

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and Pinoleville Pomo Nation staff set out to rescue the Coho and as many other fish as possible from the isolated pool. Teams used nets to collect two Coho, three Chinook, 146 steelhead and hundreds of other native and introduced fish species. Three Pinoleville Pomo Nation environmental interns — T.J. Feliz, Marisol Tlelo and Riley Dizon — provided critical support to the fish rescue.

The adult Coho that spawned these young fish likely migrated in December 2024 from the Pacific Ocean, through more than 90 miles of the Russian River, and into Ackerman Creek. The last confirmed account of juvenile Coho in upper Russian River tributaries was prior to 1991. The 2025 observation of juveniles in Ackerman Creek is the first evidence that adult Coho have successfully reproduced in the Russian River’s upper basin in over 34 years.

This isn’t California’s first salmon rescue operation: during the drought-prone years of 2021-23, CDFW staff engaged in 51 rescue events in 25 waters, saving nearly 14,000 Coho salmon from death in drying pools and warm water. These rescued juvenile fish go on to support healthy adult populations of salmon statewide.

Hatcheries at Work

The Coho were taken to the Warm Springs Fish Hatchery where a Coho captive breeding program has been working to recover endangered Russian River Coho since 2001. The steelhead were also taken to the Warm Springs Fish Hatchery, and other native fish were released into Ackerman Creek near its confluence with the Russian River.

“Coho likely would have disappeared from the Russian River basin by 2004 if not for the Coho captive breeding program,” said Bay Delta Region Inland Fisheries Program Manager Corinne Gray. “While there have been five observed adult Coho that have returned to their natal waters at Coyote Valley Fish Facility below Coyote Dam since 2012, it has been decades since evidence of successful spawning and rearing of Coho has been seen in tributaries in the Russian River’s upper basin.”

In the winter of 2024-25, Coho returned in record numbers to habitat throughout the northern half of the California Central Coast, from the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in Marin County to the Sinkyone Wilderness in Mendocino County. Though there have been successful returns of Coho in the lower Russian River watershed, Coho are not often seen migrating into the upper Russian River watersheds.

CDFW staff actively seek out naturally reproduced Coho juveniles to maximize genetic diversity in the captive breeding program. The Russian River Coho captive breeding program is a multi-agency partnership implemented by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, where these natural origin juvenile Coho are hatchery reared to adulthood and then spawned. This takes a few hundred fish and multiplies them to about 150,000 that are released to local tributaries with the goal of restarting sustaining populations of Coho.

Improved Fish Passage and Habitat Restoration

As the state invests in improved fish passage and habitat restoration, California is starting to see salmon emerge in unexpected and historic watersheds.

This summer, Coho salmon were spotted in the Jenner Headlands Reserve on the Sonoma Coast, their first sighting in the area in roughly 60 years. This area was previously preserved in 2010 thanks in part to funding provided by the California State Coastal Conservancy and the Wildlife Conservation Board. These investments by the state support critically important habitat restoration and preservation opportunities, even years after acquisition.

In November, for the first time since the 1950s, Chinook salmon were documented migrating into the reaches of Alameda Creek in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Chinook were able to swim further up the largest local tributary to the San Francisco Bay as a result of the Sunol Valley Fish Passage Project implemented by CalTrout and PG&E. Developing and updating fish passages is also identified in the state’s Salmon Strategy as a key way to support movement of healthy fish populations.

Additionally, in a key effort to advance the Salmon Strategy, CDFW and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries have partnered on Salmon Habitat Restoration Priorities (SHaRP), a collaborative commitment to restore important salmon and steelhead habitat. SHaRP helps salmon build resilience, and projects in the impacted zones have seen substantial increases in adult Coho salmon returns which in turn can help repopulate upstream areas like Ackerman Creek.

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Media Contacts:
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120
Angela James, Pinoleville Pomo Nation Tribal Council