Salmon Return to the Russian River for First Time in Over 30 Years
Northern California’s salmon recovery efforts reached a major milestone this summer, as juvenile coho salmon were spotted in the upper Russian River basin for the first time in more than three decades.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed that the young fish were discovered in a tributary of the Russian River in Mendocino County by a water specialist from the Pinoleville Pomo Nation. The sighting marks the first evidence of natural coho reproduction in the upper basin since 1991, signaling real progress for a species long considered at risk.
State officials say the return is the result of California’s long-term salmon recovery strategy, improved habitat restoration, and favorable recent water conditions. The effort also reflects close collaboration with tribes, conservation groups, and federal partners to rebuild resilient river systems across the state.
After the juvenile coho were found stranded in a drying pool, the Pinoleville Pomo Nation and CDFW partnered on a rescue effort to relocate the fish to safer habitat. Tribal leaders emphasized the importance of blending traditional ecological knowledge with modern conservation to protect culturally significant waterways like Ackerman Creek.
The Russian River milestone is part of a broader statewide rebound. During the drought years of 2021–2023, CDFW conducted 51 rescue operations across 25 waterways, saving nearly 14,000 juvenile coho salmon from drying pools and warm water.
Elsewhere in Northern California, coho were recently spotted at the Jenner Headlands on the Sonoma Coast for the first time in about 60 years. Chinook salmon were also documented migrating into Alameda Creek this fall for the first time since the 1950s, following major fish passage improvements.
Together, these sightings suggest California’s salmon are slowly reclaiming historic waters — a hopeful sign for rivers, ecosystems, and future generations.
