Salmon

Salmon Numbers Improving but Still Work Needed

The lower Columbia region supports 72 populations of Endangered Species Act-listed salmon and steelhead trout. A progress report that reassessed fish for the first time since 2010 showed 18 populations have achieved recovery goals and 23 have shown improvement since 1998.

Fall Chinook Salmon–4 of 15 populations are achieving recovery goals; 6 populations show signs of improvement. Most populations have low numbers of natural-spawning fish and limited habitat quantity and quality, and they compete with hatchery fish.

Spring Chinook Salmon–None of the seven populations are achieving recovery goals. Recovery relies on successful reintroduction of fish upstream of dams in the Cowlitz and Lewis Rivers, and the sediment retention structure in the Toutle River watershed.

Chum Salmon–2 of 11 populations are achieving recovery goals; 3 populations show signs of improvement. Key challenges include low numbers of salmon and limited distribution.

Coho Salmon–5 of 17 populations are achieving recovery goals; 8 populations show improvement. Key challenges include limited habitat, poor ocean conditions, and competition with hatchery fish.

Steelhead–4 of 17 winter-run and 2 of 5 summer-run populations are achieving recovery goals; 6 populations show signs of improvement. Key challenges include maintaining protections to headwater habitats.

View data on Salmon statewide. Visit the Salmon Data Hub for more of the data behind the indicator charts and graphs used throughout this site.