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Steelhead Trout

Steelhead Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

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Protected Status

ESA Endangered
Southern California DPS
ESA Threatened
California Central Valley DPS
Central California Coast DPS
Lower Columbia River DPS
Middle Columbia River
Northern California DPS
Puget Sound DPS
Snake River Basin DPS
South-Central California Coast DPS
Upper Columbia River DPS
Upper Willamette River DPS
ESA Experimental Population
Middle Columbia River XN
ESA Candidate
Olympic Peninsula DPS

Quick Facts

Weight
Up to 55 pounds
Length
Up to 45 inches
Lifespan
Up to 11 years
Threats
Climate change, Commercial and recreational fishing, Habitat degradation, Habitat impediments (dams), Habitat loss
Region
Alaska, West Coast
Male and female steelhead swimming underwater Male and female steelhead trout. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

Male and female steelhead trout. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

About the Species

Steelhead trout are a unique species. Individuals develop differently depending on their environment. All wild steelhead trout hatch in gravel-bottomed, fast-flowing, well-oxygenated rivers and streams. Some stay in fresh water all their lives and are called rainbow trout. Steelhead trout that migrate to the ocean typically grow larger than the ones that stay in freshwater. They then return to freshwater to spawn. Steelhead trout are vulnerable to many stressors and threats including blocked access to spawning grounds and habitat degradation caused by dams and culverts.

One distinct population segment is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, and 10 DPS and 1 experimental non-essential population are listed as threatened.

NOAA Fisheries is committed to conserving and protecting steelhead trout. Our scientists and partners use a variety of innovative techniques to study, learn more about, and protect this species. 

Scientific Classification

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Osteichthyes
Order Salmoniformes
Family Salmonidae
Genus Oncorhynchus
Species Oncorhynchus mykiss

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/09/2023

Featured News

A railroad bridge runs parallel to the shore, with estuary habitat in the foreground and open water in the background A new railroad bridge at Meadowdale Beach Park is helping to improve fish passage and reconnect the park to the beach. Credit: Snohomish County.
Feature Story

Restoration Project Improves Access to Meadowdale Beach Park for Salmon—and People

West Coast
Red light house sits on island in Great Lakes
Feature Story

Inflation Reduction Act: A Historic Investment in America’s Climate Resilience

National
50th Anniversary of the Endangered Species Act with smalltooth sawfish, green turtle, Atlantic salmon, staghorn, North Atlantic right whale, and Tubastraea floreana
Feature Story

The Endangered Species Act: 50 Years of Conserving Species

Alaska
New England/Mid-Atlantic
Pacific Islands
Southeast
West Coast
National
Adult steelhead in shallow water South-Central California Steelhead – San Carpoforo Creek, San Luis Obispo County. Photo: Mark H. Capelli, NOAA Fisheries
Feature Story

South-Central California Coast Steelhead Maintain Threatened Listing Status

West Coast
View More News

In the Spotlight

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/09/2023

Management Overview

Throughout the West Coast, 11 species of steelhead are protected under the Endangered Species Act. The West Coast Region works with its partners to protect, conserve, and recover steelhead by addressing the threats these animals face and by restoring the habitat on which they depend.

Steelhead Distinct Population Segments

Learn more about the regulatory history of steelhead trout

Recovery Planning and Implementation

Species Recovery Contacts

Central California Coast Steelhead DPS

Central Valley Steelhead DPS

Northern California Coast Steelhead DPS

Key Actions and Documents

Actions & Documents Incidental Take

90-Day Finding on the Petition to List Olympic Peninsula Steelhead as a Threatened or Endangered Distinct Population Segment

We, NOAA Fisheries, announce a 90-day finding on a petition to list Olympic Peninsula (OP) steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as a threatened or endangered Distinct Population Segment (DPS) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The petitioners also…
Notice
,
West Coast
Published

Dungeness Hatcheries Plans

NOAA Fisheries is making available for public review its Proposed Evaluation and Pending Determination (PEPD) for a Chinook salmon hatchery program operating in the Dungeness River basin (see Resources, below). An ESA Section 4(d) Limit 6…
Notice
,
West Coast
Published

Notice of Issuance: Permit for the Implementation of the Carmel River Steelhead Rescue and Rearing Enhancement Program

Notice is hereby given that NOAA Fisheries has issued one direct take permit (#14741) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended, to the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (District) for the Carmel River Steelhead Rescue…
Notice
,
West Coast
Published

12-Month Finding on a Petition To List Summer-Run Steelhead in Northern California as Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act

We, NOAA Fisheries, announce a 12-month finding on a petition to delineate Northern California (NC) summer-run steelhead as a distinct population segment (DPS) of West Coast steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and to list that DPS as endangered under the…
Notice
,
West Coast
Published

Calaveras River Habitat Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment

NOAA Fisheries announces the Final Calaveras River Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Environmental Assessment (EA) availability and subsequent issuance of the Incidental Take Permit under Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Notice
,
West Coast
Published
09/14/2020

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/09/2023

Science Overview

Research & Data

Critical Habitat - Maps and GIS Data (West Coast Region)

Maps and GIS data for black abalone, bocaccio, Chinook salmon, chum salmon, coho salmon, eulachon, green sturgeon, humpback whale, killer whale, leatherback turtle, sockeye salmon, steelhead trout, Steller sea lion, and yelloweye rockfish.
December 03, 2021 - Map ,
West Coast

Salmon Habitat Status and Trend Monitoring Program Data

Habitat data sets for habitat status and trend monitoring in Puget Sound and the Oregon Coast Coho regions.
June 18, 2020 - Map ,
West Coast

Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund Database

The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) database serves as a project and performance metrics database and stores salmon and steelhead-related project reports from grantees located in Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and California.
February 11, 2020 - Database ,
Alaska
West Coast

Recovery Action Database

Tracks the implementation of recovery actions from Endangered Species Act (ESA) recovery plans.
February 10, 2020 - Database ,
National
RAD image.JPG
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Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/09/2023

Documents

Document

2023 5-Year Review: Summary & Evaluation of Southern California Steelhead

Five-year reviews describe whether recovery is on track in the context of the recovery plan,…

West Coast
Document

2023 5-Year Review: Summary & Evaluation of South-Central California Coast Steelhead

Five-year reviews describe whether recovery is on track in the context of the recovery plan,…

West Coast
Document

2022 5-Year Review: Summary & Evaluation of Middle Columbia River Steelhead

Five-year reviews describe whether recovery is on track in the context of the recovery plan,…

West Coast
More Documents

Data & Maps

Data

Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund Database

The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) database serves as a project and performance…

Alaska
West Coast
Data

Recovery Action Database

Tracks the implementation of recovery actions from Endangered Species Act (ESA) recovery plans.

National
More Data and Maps

Outreach & Education

Educational Materials

¡Cuento con usted! edición trucha cabeza de acero (en español)

Aprenda qué es lo que la trucha cabeza de acero necesita para vivir y cómo puede hacer la…

West Coast
Educational Materials

I'm Counting on You! Steelhead Brochure

Learn about the threats facing steelhead and what you can do to help.

West Coast
More Outreach and Education Materials

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 02/09/2023