1. A trout by any other name…
Steelhead 101
A trout by any other name…
Donald Ratcliff
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

2. Steelhead Characteristics
Steelhead are:
A member of the Pacific salmon and trout family
The same species as ‘rainbow trout’
Widespread in distribution, but limited in population size in many areas
Anadromous

3. What Is Anadromy?
Anadromous (adj) – Fish that migrate into freshwater environments from the sea to spawn (i.e. sea-, or ocean-run fish)

5. Challenges to Anadromous Fishes in the Central Valley
Migration – Adults may have trouble returning to the system and juveniles may not be able to get out
Habitat – Alterations have changed traditional spawning and rearing habitats
Decades of stocking ‘rainbow trout’ in native steelhead waters

6. Challenges to Anadromous Fishes in the Central Valley
Non-native predators, competitors, species that change habitat, species that change food-webs and productivity
Multiple other conditions in the Valley and beyond