State of the Salmonids
CalTrout, in collaboration with academic partners, has produced two once-a-decade State of the Salmonids reports — comprehensive scientific assessments of all 32 native salmon, steelhead, and trout species in California. The third report will release in 2027.
once in a decade
SOS III: Coming in 2027
California’s freshwater ecosystems are at a crossroads. Climate change, warming waters, altered landscapes and flows, and intensifying demands on water are reshaping rivers that once supported abundant fish populations. Salmon, steelhead, and trout are not only iconic species — they are indicators of watershed health, and their fate is inseparable from the future of California itself.
SOS III is a rigorous scientific assessment of every native salmonid species in California, and it will also outline a vision for how California can protect, restore, and reimagine the freshwater ecosystems that sustain people, fish, and wildlife.
FROM OUR SCIENCE DIRECTOR
“State of the Salmonids III represents the most rigorous population-level assessment we’ve ever produced. As conditions on the ground shift faster than our monitoring can always keep pace with, this science gives us the confidence to say which populations are stable, which are in freefall, and where our next dollar of restoration work will matter most.”
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SOS II: Fish in Hot Water
State of the salmonids II
See what the science said in 2017
CalTrout and UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences released State of the Salmonids II: Fish in Hot Water in 2017, an in-depth report that details the status of California’s 32 native salmon, steelhead, and trout. The science-based report was clear — if we don’t act, we risk losing our native fish species.
At the current rate, 45% of California salmonids are likely to be extinct in the next 50 years. This includes 11 of 21 anadromous species (52%) and 3 of 10 inland species (30%). In 100 years, 23 of the remaining 31 species (74%) are likely to be extinct if present conditions continue.
Meet the Science Program team
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Darren Mierau
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Emily Chen
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Patrick Samuel
SOS · A ONCE-A-DECADE REPORT
The only statewide assessment
of California’s native salmon,
steelhead, and trout.
CalTrout, in collaboration with academic partners, has produced two once-a-decade State of the Salmonids reports — comprehensive scientific assessments of all 32 native salmon, steelhead, and trout species in California.
These reports are the only analyses of their kind. Their message is clear: without action, California risks losing its wild fish.
In 2027, CalTrout will release SOS III, building on assessments from 2008 and 2017 to track trends over time — using a proven, peer-informed methodology trusted by agencies and academic institutions.
32
Species Assessed
160
Citations by academics, legislators, policymakers, foundations, and nonprofits
45%
of California salmonids likely to be extinct in next 50 years if current trends persist
Featured stories
The latest SOS news
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California Trout Launches State of the Salmonids III, a Once-a-Decade Scientific Assessment to Guide the Future of California’s Rivers
Read more →: California Trout Launches State of the Salmonids III, a Once-a-Decade Scientific Assessment to Guide the Future of California’s RiversCalTrout announces the launch of State of the Salmonids III (SOS III), a once-a-decade scientific assessment of the…
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CalTrout Launches New Statewide Science Program
Read more →: CalTrout Launches New Statewide Science ProgramCalTrout is thrilled to announce that we have launched a new statewide Science Program. This initiative identified as…
Support WILD FISH
Wild fish cannot help themselves — they need us and they need you.
Nearly half of our fish are likely to be extinct within 50 years if current trends continue, and when fish collapse it means our water systems are at risk too. We can all play a role in protecting California’s wild fish and our state’s water future.