Chinook salmon make another comeback

A funny thing about Chinook salmon: Give them half a chance and they can come roaring back. Yes, they're a fragile species, highly susceptible to poor water management and/or crummy habitat and environmental conditions (which is especially true in Northern California, the southern end of their range). But despite that glaring irony, salmon are also one of the most resilient species on the planet, and they demonstrated that this fall. In 2022, after several years of pretty brutal drought conditions, declining numbers of fall-run Chinook salmon returning to California rivers were so bad that fishing for them – recreationally and commercially – was banned in the state almost entirely for the past three years, though there were limited seasons this year both off the coast and in certain stretches of certain rivers. So why the big rally in 2025? Most simply: water. According to National Weather Service statistics, the fall and winter of 2022-23 saw rainfall totals as high as 47 inches in some parts of the state, and snow totals as high as 58 feet. Remember? The salmon returning to our rivers this year were born that season. Jason Thatcher, who runs River Pursuit guide service on the upper Sacramento River, said he saw more spawning Chinook salmon in the river this fall between Redding and Red Bluff "than the last three years combined." Granted, that's anecdotal. But official reports confirm Thatcher's observations. Up and down the Sacramento River watershed, returning Chinook salmon made it look like westbound 80 at the end of a three-day weekend. Coleman fish hatchery on Battle Creek reports more than 40,000 Chinook salmon made it back. Feather River fall-run salmon counts were more than 43,000. The Mokelumne River hatchery had more than 35,000 return by mid-December. Final numbers are not in yet, but Nimbus Fish Hatchery on the lower American River in Orangevale had healthy returns. They've even been found in small tributaries that don't always get returning salmon, like Putah Creek in Yolo County and Miner's Ravine in Placer. On the coast, Chinook and Coho salmon, which are an even more fragile salmon species, were found in streams, creeks and rivers that haven't seen them in years or even decades. (Fun fact: While it is true most salmon return to the rivers of their birth, not all do. Up to 27 percent can stray into other waters.) One of the most encouraging returns has been to the Klamath watershed, where thousands of Chinook have been spawning in river stretches previously unreachable for decades until two recent dam removals. But good rainfall totals aren't the only reason – especially here. For starters, there is no question the aforementioned multi-season closures to commercial and sport anglers had an effect, as painful as they've been economically and recreationally. But also, efforts to improve population rates in general may be paying off: like helping young hatchery salmon avoid in-river habitat and predatory challenges by trucking them to San Francisco Bay. (Hey, why walk through a bad part of town when you can Uber?) There's also been better, more informed management of downstream flows at critical times of the year, although with all our state's water demands, that is still a work in progress. And there's extensive and ongoing habitat restoration that allows for more natural spawning because, another fun fact: Studies show that wild salmon – those that are hatched naturally in river and stream beds and their subsequent descendants – have higher overall survival rates than hatchery fish. But there's one more factor I personally would like to see more work on: overall awareness. Salmon in California are not just an interesting annual oddity, they are crucial to the entire West Coast. The Klamath and Sacramento watersheds are the second- and third-largest producers of Chinook salmon in the lower 48, behind only the Columbia River. Many of our fish, when they reach the ocean, hang a right and swim all the way to the Gulf of Alaska to feed and grow. When you buy a "wild Alaskan caught" salmon at the store, there's a decent chance that fish had Cali roots. They're also a bellwether species – if their numbers are healthy, it's likely their home waters are healthy, too. Plus, they're just a remarkable species. On average, a wild female Chinook will lay between 4,500 and 6,000 eggs. Of those, maybe two or three will manage to dodge everything from birds to orcas and fishing nets, survive into adulthood and return. Hatchery-raised salmon have even lower odds. Think about that! Basically, every salmon that makes it back is a Powerball winner. We shouldn't just be aware of this remarkable species, we should be lining riverbanks every fall waving big foam "#1" fingers, cheering like maniacs as they, despite all odds, rally. Again and again. Fishing report Folsom Lake: As it does, Folsom rose dramatically from the recent rains, from 48 percent capacity to 53 percent – and overall, it's 130 percent of normal for this time of year. Quick rises in water levels can often push all species of fish toward shore, and as the water clears out, there could be a decent chance to catch not only bass but rainbow trout and possibly even a landlocked salmon from just the water's edge. Out on the lake itself, bass guide Brian McKinnon (916-706-8582) says he's been doing well "focusing on points, rocks piles and ledges using jigs, jerk bait, drop shots, underpin and strolling." He says most of his fish have been coming from the bank out to 40 feet of water. As for trout and salmon from boats, not a lot of people are fishing right now, but one recent report from a Facebook group page had a boat angler with four pan-sized rainbow caught on "oranged-bottom" Rapalas in front of the dam at 2 mph, and it's possible the recent inflows pushed some trout out of the river arms and into the lake itself. Camanche Despite the heavy rain, there is a good shore bite for rainbow trout, with a friend catching four very nice-sized fish using chartreuse Power Bait with about a foot and a half of leader. He says the party next to him did even better. Also, if you haven't heard, recreational anglers will once again be allowed to take boats out on Camanche in 2026. But not until May 1, and then only after a full inspection and 30-day quarantine to ensure no golden mussels are introduced to the reservoir. Upstream, Lake Pardee will remain closed to all outside watercraft. East Bay Municipal Water District, which oversees both lakes, is working to create an appointment schedule for Camanche and will be posting updates at ebmud.com. Unfortunately, it does not look like EBMUD will be participating in any sort of standardized tagging system with other lakes. Lower American River I recently started volunteering weekly at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, so I can tell you first-hand steelhead trout are very much in the system and many are of impressive size. The season officially opens Jan. 1 below the USGS gauging station cable crossing near the hatchery, but be sure to check the regulations because in addition to a required "report and restoration" card, there are other specifics you must be aware of or face big fines. That said, this can be one of the finest near-city fisheries anywhere in America.