Coho salmon are making a comeback in the Russian River for the first time in 30 years

What you need to know: Governor Newsom celebrates the presence of naturally reproduced coho salmon in the Russian River's upper basin in Northern California for the first time in over 30 years, building on the statewide recovery strategy to protect our ecosystems.

SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today celebrated a monumental achievement for California as salmon are making a comeback in Northern California. This summer, several juvenile coho salmon were spotted in the Russian River's upper basin - a first in more than 30 years. California has recently marked significant progress in its comprehensive strategy to help these threatened and endangered salmon species recover - while the Trump administration has rolled back protections and turned its back on preserving endangered species and the precious ecosystems we all rely on.

California's salmon strategy is about more than restoring a species - it's about restoring an entire way of life. It's about honoring tribal sovereignty, protecting the ecosystems that define this state, and doing the hard, generational work to make sure these rivers still run for our kids and grandkids. The return of this species to the Russian River demonstrates a new win in our strategy to preserve a healthy and sustainable future for all.

Governor Gavin Newsom

Today, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that juvenile Coho salmon were spotted in a tributary of the Russian River in Mendocino County by a Pinoleville Pomo Nation water specialist - the first observation confirming natural reproduction of Coho in the Russian River's upper basin since 1991. Governor Gavin Newsom's Salmon Strategy for a Hotter, Drier Future, coupled with beneficial wet weather conditions, is supporting California's struggling salmon populations as they return to historical habitats like the Russian River.

Strong regional partnerships

To help the species continue to thrive, Pinoleville Pomo Nation and CDFW partnered for a rescue effort, when it was discovered that these juvenile fish had become stranded in an isolated and drying pool.

"Pinoleville Pomo Nation respects the relationship of traditional ecological knowledge, passed down through generations, while learning about contemporary conservation practices," said Pinoleville Pomo Nation Vice Chairperson Angela James. "We honor Mother Earth by protecting the sustainability of our natural resources. Our Tribal Citizens currently utilize every cultural resource Ackerman Creek provides for us. By actively engaging in habitat restoration, water quality monitoring and the preservation of native species, we reaffirm our commitment to the health of the Ackerman Creek for future generations."

Additionally, in a key effort to advance the Salmon Strategy, CDFW and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries have partnered on Salmon Habitat Restoration Priorities (SHaRP), a collaborative commitment to restore important salmon and steelhead habitat. SHaRP helps salmon build resilience, and projects in the impacted zones have seen substantial increases in adult Coho salmon returns which in turn can help repopulate upstream areas like Ackerman Creek.

This isn't California's first salmon rescue operation: during the drought-prone years of 2021-23, CDFW staff engaged in 51 rescue events in 25 waters, saving nearly 14,000 Coho salmon from death in drying pools and warm water. These rescued juvenile fish go on to support healthy adult populations of salmon statewide.

Improved Fish Passage and Habitat Restoration

As the state invests in improved fish passage and habitat restoration, California is starting to see salmon emerge in unexpected and historic watersheds.

Just this week, Coho salmon were spotted in the Jenner Headlands Reserve on the Sonoma Coast, their first sighting in the area in roughly 60 years. This area was previously preserved in 2010 thanks in part to funding provided by the California State Coastal Conservancy and the Wildlife Conservation Board. These investments by the state support critically important habitat restoration and preservation opportunities, even years after acquisition.

This November, for the first time since the 1950s, Chinook salmon were documented migrating into the reaches of Alameda Creek in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Chinook were able to swim further up the largest local tributary to the San Francisco Bay as a result of the Sunol Valley Fish Passage Project implemented by CalTrout and PG&E. Developing and updating fish passages is also identified in the state's Salmon Strategy as a key way to support movement of healthy fish populations.