California Trout and UC Davis Release New Study Detailing High Risk of Losing Native Fish

SOS II: Fish in Hot Water

Knowledge is power

CalTrout and UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences have released State of the Salmonids II: Fish in Hot Water, an in-depth report that details the status of California’s 32 native salmon, steelhead, and trout.

The science-based report is 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.

What is threatening our native fish?

Climate change.  Climate change is the major, overarching threat affecting salmonids in California. This report takes a comprehensive look at each salmonid and weighs, among other things, the impact of climate change and 15 other human-caused threats.

Along with the detailed status of each fish, you’ll also find our plan to return them to resilience and an outline of CalTrout’s work that is already underway to get them there.

In State of Salmonids II, we explore the following questions:

  • What is the status of all California salmonids, both individually and collectively?
  • What are major factors responsible for their present status, especially of declining species?
  • How can California’s salmonids be saved from extinction?


“If knowledge is power, then this information should be critical in reversing the trend toward a continued decline of our special fishes, with California Trout at the forefront of aquatic conservation.”

– Dr. Peter Moyle


Visit California Trout’s website to download the report SOS II: Fish in Hot Water