Species Profiles: Life Histories and Environmental Requirements of Coastal Fishes and Invertebrates (Pacific Southwest). Steelhead.
Abstract
Species profiles are summaries of the literature on the taxonomy, life history, and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and aquatic invertebrates. They are prepared to assist with environmental impact assessment. The steelhead Salmo gairdneri, an anadromous rainbow trout, supports an important sport fishery in the Pacific Southwest. Although native of populations of steelhead have declined, these fish annually enter coastal streams from northern to southern California in years when winter stream flow is high. Steelhead ascend coastal streams from the ocean to spawn in cool, well-oxygenated waters with suitable depth, current velocity, and gravel size. After hatching, steelhead fry emerge from the gravel and begin a freshwater rearing phase that generally extends from 1 to 3 years. Rearing habitat with proper environmental conditions is extremely important to steelboard production. Excessive sedimentation reduces food production, pool depth, and cover--all important to juvenile steelhead survival. Steelhead smolts migrate during spring to saltwater, where most of their growth and sexual maturity is attained in 1 or 2 years. Attempts have increased to protect wild steelhead stocks, to maintain existing spawning and rearing habitat, to restore or enhance degraded habitat where feasible, to use artificial propagation efficiently, and to establish fishing regulations that provide quality angling for steelhead.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA173662
Entities
People
- Roger A. Barnhart