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Steelhead Trout

Steelhead Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Drawing of a Steelhead Trout in profile

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 06/23/2025

Featured News

The Kwoneesum Dam after its reservoir was drained. Credit: Cowlitz Indian Tribe The Kwoneesum Dam after its reservoir was drained. Credit: Cowlitz Indian Tribe
Feature Story

Washington Dam Removal Opens Lower Columbia River Tributary for Salmon and Steelhead

West Coast
Aerial view of the Ridgefield Pits in the foreground on the East Fork Lewis River before restoration. The Daybreak Pits can also be seen and are located adjacent to the Ridgefield Pits. The project will focus on restoring the nine Ridgefield Pits. Credit: Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership Aerial view of the Ridgefield Pits in the foreground on the East Fork Lewis River before restoration. The Daybreak Pits can also be seen and are located adjacent to the Ridgefield Pits. The project will focus on restoring the nine Ridgefield Pits. Credit: Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership
Feature Story

Washington State River Restoration Project to Revive Salmon Habitat, Support Local Jobs

West Coast
Adult CCC coho migrating upstream. Credit: CDFW Adult CCC coho migrating upstream. Credit: CDFW
Feature Story

Endangered Salmon Move into Newly Restored Habitat on the Mendocino Coast

West Coast
A person wearing waders sits next to a river holding a large branch Veteran Colton Long monitors salmon and steelhead habitat in California’s Klamath River basin. Credit: NOAA Fisheries.
Feature Story

NOAA Veterans Corps: Progress by the Numbers

National
View More News

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 a Petition to Revise the Critical Habitat Designation for Southern California Steelhead

We, NOAA Fisheries, announce a 90-day finding on a petition to revise the critical habitat designation for the Southern California steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) distinct population segment (DPS) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The petition…
Notice,
West Coast
Issued

Petition to List Olympic Peninsula Steelhead as a Threatened or Endangered Distinct Population Segment

On August 1, 2022, we received a petition (PDF, 164 pages) to list the Olympic Peninsula (OP) Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of steelhead as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). On February 10th, 2023, we published a…
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

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 06/23/2025

Documents

Document

2024 5-Year Review: Summary & Evaluation of Central California Coast Steelhead

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

West Coast
Document

2024 5-Year Review: Summary & Evaluation of California Central Valley Steelhead

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

West Coast
Document

2024 5-Year Review: Summary & Evaluation of Northern California Steelhead

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

West Coast
More Documents

Data & Maps

More Data
More Maps

Research

California Salmonscape

From the Sierra Nevada to the Golden Gate, California is a salmon state. Discover the species, habitats, and human connections through art.

West Coast
More Research

Outreach & Education

Educational Materials

Central Valley Steelhead Brochure

What everyone should know about California Central Valley (CCV) steelhead

West Coast
Educational Materials

Salmonid Savers – Word Puzzles, Mazes, and Games About Saving Salmon and Steelhead

Through comics, word puzzles, and mazes, kids learn about the importance of salmonids (e.g., salmon…

West Coast
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 Materials
More Educational Materials

Last updated by NOAA Fisheries on 06/23/2025