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 Chinook...
Steelhead Trout
Steelhead Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
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 Petitioned
Northern California Summer Population
ESA Experimental Population
Middle Columbia River XN
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
Location
Alaska,
West Coast
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.
The Northern California summer steelhead population was petitioned for listing as endangered in November 2018.
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
- 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 Petitioned
- Northern California Summer Population
ESA Experimental Population
- Middle Columbia River XN
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia | Phylum | Chordata | Class | Osteichthyes | Order | Salmoniformes | Family | Salmonidae | Genus | Oncorhynchus | Species | mykiss |
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