Historic Comeback: Coho Salmon in Northern California after 30 Years! Reading Time: 3 minutes

Let’s start 2026 with some incredible news – Coho Salmon have appeared in Northern California for the first time in 30 years! The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) called this “a monumental achievement for California.“

A photo featuring a hand holding a large Coho Salmon by a riverbank, with water and lush greenery in the background.

Governor Gavin Newsom said that the return of Coho Salmon to the upper basin of the Russian River in Mendocino County was a clear indication that efforts to preserve the species and create a sustainable future were paying off. But what exactly were those efforts, and why is this such a milestone?

California Salmon Strategy

Salmon are central to California’s history, tradition, culture, industry, people, and nature. So, maintaining a healthy Salmon population and regular Salmon runs is of vital importance to California.

Recognizing their significance and the downward population trend, Governor Newsom launched the California Salmon Strategy plan in 2024. The project marked a crucial shift from observing to acting in order to prevent the extinction of species such as Coho Salmon in California.

The CDFW leads the California Salmon Strategy, and it has five major priorities to act on:

  1. Removing barriers and modernizing infrastructure for Salmon migration
  2. Restoring and expanding habitat for Salmon spawning and rearing
  3. Protecting water flows and quality in key rivers at the right times for Salmon
  4. Modernizing Salmon hatcheries
  5. Transforming technology and management for climate adaptability

Thanks to these efforts, juvenile Coho Salmon are in Mendocino County again after more than three decades.

Regional Salmon Partnerships

The last natural reproduction of Coho Salmon in the Russian River was observed in 1991, so this is a huge milestone for California and should be celebrated.

A person sitting in a boat is holding a decent Coho Salmon with both hands, smiling at the camera; trees and water can be seen in the background.
Photo courtesy of iGuideBCfishingCo

However, the return of struggling Salmon to their historical habitats would not be possible without a strong network of partners working together to put the California Salmon Strategy into action.

Spearheaded by the CDFW, the plan is supported by some of the most important institutions and organizations in the region and across the country:

  • The National Marine Fisheries Service
  • The US Fish and Wildlife Service
  • Tribal Nations
  • Wildlife Conservation Board
  • Water Boards
  • The Department of Water Resources
  • The California Department of Transportation
  • State Conservancies
  • Local agencies

Other Salmon Milestones

Mendocino County and its Russian River are not the only ones benefiting from the California Coho Salmon initiatives. Just several weeks ago, Coho Salmon were seen in Sonoma County as well. This was the first time they had been spotted there in the last 60 years.

And that’s not all. Two months ago, Chinook Salmon migrated into Alameda Creek in the San Francisco Bay Area for the first time since the 1950s. This happened as a result of the Sunol Valley Fish Passage Project, an initiative focused on supporting Salmon passage.

It’s evident that efforts to preserve Salmon are paying off, and if the trend continues, we’re in for more good news in the coming years.

What do you think about Coho Salmon returning to the Russian River in California? Is the California Salmon Strategy paying off? Have you witnessed any Salmon milestones in California yourself? Hit the comment button below and share your thoughts and stories with us.

The post Historic Comeback: Coho Salmon in Northern California after 30 Years! appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.

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