The EEL river is californias third largest watershed and contains 398 miles of designated wild and scenic river.catch and release fisheries for california coastal chinook salmon, northern california…

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) received a $200,055 Formula Grant award from the Department of the Interior (DOI) Fish and Wildlife Service Region 8 under the Sport Fish Restoration program (CFDA 15.605) for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. This grant funds population monitoring and assessment activities for Northern California steelhead and resident trout populations in the Eel River watershed and its tributaries. The monitoring data generated through this project directly supports CDFW's sport fishery management objectives for the catch-and-release winter-run steelhead fishery and the lake and stream resident rainbow trout fishery within this third-largest California watershed.

The project delivers fisheries management information services through field monitoring activities conducted in the mountainous, undeveloped interior region of the Eel River and its major forks and tributaries. By providing scientific data on fish population dynamics and status, the grant supports sustainable management of sport fisheries that generate substantial economic activity through angler visitation, tackle sales, and guide services throughout the region. The Sport Fish Restoration program, financed through excise taxes on fishing equipment and related products, supports this type of fisheries monitoring and management work across the United States to maintain viable sport fishing resources and public recreational access.

The EEL river is californias third largest watershed and contains 398 miles of designated wild and scenic river.catch and release fisheries for california coastal chinook salmon, northern california winter-run steelhead, andresident trout occur in the major river forks and some tributaries. The rugged and remote landscape providesanglers with a unique sport fishing opportunity. This project provides information on populations of northerncalifornia steelhead and resident trout to support california department of fish and wildlife (cdfw) fisheriesand habitat management. Project monitoring occurs in the mostly undeveloped, mountainous interior region of theeel river and tributaries. This project supports cdfw sport fishery management of the EEL river catch and releasewinter-run steelhead fishery, and the lake and stream resident rainbow trout fishery. Both fisheries attractnumerous anglers and support visitor, tackle, and guide service industries.