A fall-run Chinook salmon travels up the fish ladder near California Department of Water Resources infrastructure in Oroville. Image: Andrew Nixon and the California Department of Water Resources A fish ladder is a structure in a natural or artificial waterway that allows fish to pass to a destination, like the ocean or spawning grounds. The…

In late August, I gave California Trout’s 2025 Eel River Pikeminnow Fishing Derby a shot. Sadly, I did not win the Derby. But I did come across a number of conditions that got me thinking about rearing juvenile salmonids. For starters, I caught and observed large Sacramento pikeminnow that appeared to be feeding very well…

The Hydropower Reform Coalition (HRC) has been advocating since the early 1990s for improved conditions in waters affected by hydroelectric projects. HRC advocacy has increased streamflows and made flow information public, achieved new and improved river access, and supported local communities where hydropower dams and other components of infrastructure are located. The California Sportfishing Protection…

The trailer bill legislation proposed by the Newsom Administration to fast-track approval and construction of a tunnel under the Bay-Delta estuary ended for the year when it did not come to the floor of either house in the state legislature by September 12. See earlier analysis here. This is a victory for people, wildlife, and…

California’s fall 2025 recreational ocean salmon fishery was a success, with 12,000 Chinook salmon taken by 12,400 anglers in four days of fishing. The weather conditions were excellent, which added to the high turnout. The fall harvest guideline of 7,500 Chinook salmon was reached between September 4 and 7. On September 17, National Marine Fisheries…