Pacific Salmon & Steelhead:  A Natural Wonder

California and Southern Oregon’s rivers and streams, from Del Norte to San Diego County and throughout the Central Valley, have been home to Pacific salmon and steelhead for millions of years.

Three species of Pacific salmon are native to California:

• Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

• Coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

• Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) 

Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki) are also included in this family.

Each species has a different geographic distribution and has developed distinct groups of populations which have adapted to the dynamic environmental conditions within California’s diverse landscape.  For example, Pacific salmonids in the northwest exhibit different migration and maturing characteristics from those in the Central Valley and Central and Southern California.  Pacific salmon have a six stage life-cycle (see below or click on Link for pdf).  Healthy habitat conditions are crucial for the survival of each stage. 

Pacific salmon and steelhead are defined as “anadromous,” (an ancient Greek word meaning to “run up.”), because they alternate between freshwater and saltwater habitats.  Most Pacific salmon die after spawning, but their carcasses help enrich the stream for the next generation.  Steelhead, however, may survive to reproduce one or more years.

For a species distribution maps go to CalFish.org