California Anadromous Fish

There are 5 Native Species of Salmon in California Chinook Chum Pink Coho Sockeye

Chinook Salmon Chinook are the largest of the 5 native Pacific Salmon species. They are also called “King” Salmon. Winter-run: Federally and State listed Endangered Spring-run: Federally and State listed Threatened

Coho Salmon (a.k.a. Silver Salmon) Coho salmon are no longer present in the Central Valley Rivers (extirpated). Federally Threatened State Endangered

Steelhead Steelhead and Rainbow trout are the same species of fish. If they become anadromous, they are steelhead, if food is abundant in their river, they will remain resident and are Federally threatened

Golden Trout

Green Sturgeon The green sturgeon sifts muds and silts for food and feeds upon small invertebrates and fishes. Since it has no teeth, it must swallow its food whole. The green sturgeon is anadromous, spending its adult life in the ocean but ascending coastal streams in the winter where it remains to spawn the following summer. These fish may live to be over 100 years old.

White Sturgeon White Sturgeon are anadromous fish that spend most of their lives within an estuary, usually returning to freshwater only to spawn. Most food is taken from the bottom of the estuary where the sturgeon may pick up clams, crabs, and shrimp. Larger sturgeon begin to feed on other fish such as anchovies, starry flounder, smelt and striped bass. The opportunism of the white sturgeon can be seen in their documented consumption of crayfish, trout, frogs, salmon, crayfish and even one domestic cat.

Striped Bass The striped bass can live in both freshwater and saltwater environments. In coastal populations, individuals may ascend streams and travel as much as 100 miles inland to spawn. There are land-locked populations that complete their entire life cycle in freshwater. These generally ascend tributaries of the lakes or reservoirs where they spend their lives

American Shad American Shad are indigenous to the Atlantic Coast and were introduced to the Pacific Coast in the 1870s. The spend most of their time at sea but returns to freshwater streams to breed, where it is usually caught. It grows to 2.5 feet (76 cm) and may live to 11 years. Shad often migrate more than 12,000 miles during it’s lifetime.

California Species of Special Concern: Pink Salmon Coastal Cutthroat Trout Paiute Cutthroat Trout Volcano Creek Golden Trout Summer Steelhead Trout Kern River Rainbow Trout Goose Lake Redband Trout McCloud River Redband Trout

Steelhead vs. Rainbow Trout Rainbow trout and steelhead are the same species of fish!!!!!! If the fish remains in it’s home river and leads a non- anadromous life, it is a Rainbow trout. If the fish travels to the ocean and becomes anadromous,it becomes a Steelhead Steelhead will convert to rainbow trout if: It’s a drought year Their river becomes blocked There is ample food in the stream This allows for this species to be more adaptable to changing environmental