Steelhead Trout

Steelhead Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Steelhead trout illustration

Protected Status

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

Quick Facts

Weight
Up to 55 pounds
Lifespan
Up to 11 years
Length
Up to 45 inches
Threats
Habitat impediments (dams), Habitat degradation, Habitat loss, Commercial and recreational fishing, Climate change
Region
Alaska, West Coast
See Regulatory Actions
Male and female steelhead trout

About The Species

Steelhead trout are a unique species. Individuals develop differently depending on their environment. All 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.

Protected Status

ESA Endangered

1 distinct population segment

  • Southern California DPS

ESA Threatened

1 distinct population segment

  • California Central Valley DPS

ESA Threatened

1 distinct population segment

  • Central California Coast DPS

ESA Threatened

1 distinct population segment

  • Lower Columbia River DPS

ESA Threatened

1 distinct population segment

  • Middle Columbia River

ESA Threatened

1 distinct population segment

  • Northern California DPS

ESA Threatened

1 distinct population segment

  • Puget Sound DPS

ESA Threatened

1 distinct population segment

  • Snake River Basin DPS

ESA Threatened

1 distinct population segment

  • South-Central California Coast DPS

ESA Threatened

1 distinct population segment

  • Upper Columbia River DPS

ESA Threatened

1 distinct population segment

  • Upper Willamette River DPS

ESA Experimental Population

1 distinct population segment

  • Middle Columbia River XN

ESA Experimental Population

1 distinct population segment

Scientific Classification

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

Featured News

Joshua-Russell_fly-fishing_cutthroat_summer-2018_S-Vulstek.jpg
Feature Story

Meet Joshua Russell: Summer Intern Now Part of Auke Bay Staff

Alaska
Aerial view of construction equipment in a river, with a road running nearby
Feature Story

Butano Creek Restoration Reopens Habitat for Salmon in California

West Coast
Juvenile steelhead. Photo: John McMillian
Feature Story

New Puget Sound Steelhead Plan Charts Course for Recovery

West Coast
juvenile chinook salmon in still water
Feature Story

Cowlitz Tribe Restores Lower Columbia Salmon Habitat, Benefiting Juvenile and Adult Fish

West Coast
View More News

In the Spotlight

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

Key Actions and Documents

Actions & Documents Incidental Take

Dungeness Hatcheries Plans

NOAA Fisheries is making available for public review its Proposed Evaluation and Pending Determination (PEPD) analyzing effects of our proposed determination on three hatchery programs currently operating in the Dungeness River basin of Puget Sound, in…
Notice
,
West Coast
Published
03/09/2020

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

Notice is hereby given that NMFS 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 and…
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

Oregon Resident Trout and Coho Fishery Plan for the Grande Ronde, Imnaha, and Snake Rivers

NOAA Fisheries is providing one Fishery Management and Evaluation Plan (FMEP) for recreational coho salmon and resident trout fisheries in the Snake River Basin for public comment. The FMEP was submitted by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife …
Notice
,
West Coast
Published
10/25/2019

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

Science Overview

Research & Data

Salmon Habitat Status and Trend Monitoring Program Data

Habitat data sets for habitat status and trend monitoring in Puget Sound…
June 18, 2020 - Map ,
West Coast

Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund Database

The Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund (PCSRF) database serves as a…
February 11, 2020 - Database ,
Alaska
West Coast

Recovery Action Database

Tracks the implementation of recovery actions from Endangered Species Act…
February 10, 2020 - Database ,
National

Protected Resources App

Displays spatial data for marine and anadromous species listed under the…
February 05, 2020 - Map ,
West Coast
View More

Documents

Document

ESA Recovery Plan for the Puget Sound Steelhead Distinct Population Segment (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

This recovery plan provides guidance for the protection and recovery of Puget Sound steelhead, a…

West Coast
Document

Final Environmental Assessment: Snake River Basin Fall Chinook and Coho Salmon, and Resident Trout Fisheries

The Snake River is a tributary to the Columbia River. The proposed management plans include fall…

West Coast
Document

Recovery Plan for Snake River Spring/Summer Chinook Salmon and Snake River Basin Steelhead

The goal of ESA recovery under this plan is to improve the viability of Snake River spring/summer…

West Coast
National
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