At California Trout, we work to ensure resilient wild fish thrive in healthy waters for a better California. It's our belief that abundant wild fish indicate healthy waters and that healthy waters benefit all Californians. With more than sixty large-scale, "boots on-the-ground" conservation projects underway, in tandem with public policy efforts in Sacramento, our six regional offices work tirelessly to advance our cause through a three-pillared approach to conservation.

Organization scope

California

Contact

Redgie Collins
415-748-8755
rcollins@caltrout.org

Resources from California TroutAll resources

Decommissioning and removal › Videos   3/2/2022

Battle Creek Dams — California Trout Top 5 Dams Out

Decommissioning and removal › Videos   1/1/2019

Dams Out: Klamath Dams

Decommissioning and removal › Videos   5/14/2020

Potter Valley Project – Chance of Lifetime

Videos   1/1/2009

Wild and Scenic Mokelumne River

 

News and updates from California TroutAll news

6/6/2025

Six Things to Know about the Potter Valley Project and Eel River Restoration

Since CalTrout’s inception 50 years ago, we have worked tirelessly to protect and restore the Eel River. This remarkable river, the third largest in California, holds immense potential to recover a harvestable population of wild salmon. These salmon have long served as an economic driver on the North Coast and have been vital to the […]

2/23/2025

The Eel River’s Return: California’s Third Largest Watershed Is on its Way to Flowing Free and CalTrout Has a Plan for its Restoration

After more than a century of impoundment, California’s third-largest river is on the path to running free once again. The Eel River, which once supported some of the West Coast’s most abundant salmon runs, is entering a new era of restoration and renewal that promises transformation from source to sea. CalTrout’s science-based Eel River Watershed Restoration and […]

2/13/2025

Press Release: Regional Partners Sign Historic MOU on Eel River Recovery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 13, 2025 Contact: Kara Glenwright – kglenwright@caltrout.org – 714-794-4986 Regional Partners Sign Historic MOU on Eel River Recovery Regional partnership supports Eel River dam removal, fisheries recovery, and continued water supply for Russian River communities Sacramento, CA – Today, California Trout joined Round Valley Indian Tribes (RVIT), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), […]

8/28/2024

The Klamath River Flows Free for First Time in 100+ Years

The Klamath River is free flowing for the first time in over one hundred years! Today, the cofferdam was broken at the former Iron Gate Dam site, marking the completion of the construction phase of the largest dam removal and river restoration project in U.S. history.  Dam removal unlocks access to hundreds of miles of […]

3/20/2024

Eel River Dams Headed for Removal, Water Users Support Dam-Free Diversion

In 2023, PG&E announced its plans to remove both Scott and Cape Horn dams on the Eel River as part of its license surrender and decommissioning of the Potter Valley Project. CalTrout has long advocated for removing both dams to improve salmon and steelhead populations in the Eel River by reconnecting the cold, perennial streams […]

3/8/2024

Wild Klamath River Fish Unaffected by Hatchery Fish Mortality Event, Karuk Tribe Reports

P R E S S  R E L E A S E Karuk Tribe For Immediate Release:    Wednesday March 6, 2023 For more information:  Craig Tucker, Natural Resources Policy Consultant, Karuk Tribe, craig@suitsandsigns.com, 916.207.8294 WILD KLAMATH SALMON HEALTHY AFTER RESERVOIR DRAWDOWN Wild Fish unaffected by Hatchery Fish Mortality Event Happy Camp, California – The Karuk Tribe […]

3/6/2024

Klamath River Begins to Find its Way Home

Written by Michael Wier, CalTrout Field Reporter & Videographer   The Klamath River is in the middle of a vast transformation. Right now, it is finding its way back to its original river channel after being disrupted by a series of dams for decades. By the fall of 2024, all four dams on the mainstem […]

2/2/2024

CalTrout and Partners Support Governor Newsom’s California Salmon Strategy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 1, 2024 Contact: Charlie Schneider – cschneider@caltrout.org – 707.217.0409 Matt Clifford – matt.clifford@tu.org – 406.370.9431 Monty Schmitt- monty.schmitt@tnc.org – 510-325-3594   The California Salmon and Steelhead Coalition, consisting of CalTrout and our partners Trout Unlimited and the Nature Conservancy, supports Governor Newsom’s Salmon Strategy for a Hotter and Drier Future.   […]

1/31/2024

As Klamath Dams Come Out, Restoration Project Develops on Important Klamath Tributary

The Klamath River has historically been the birthplace of many of California’s salmon, but, severed by dams, it is disrupted and disconnected, and salmon and other watershed residents have suffered from the impacts. Today the watershed is playing host to the largest river restoration project in the world. By the end of 2024, all four […]

1/12/2024

Reservoir Drawdown Begins for Klamath River Dam Removal

The next big step in Klamath River dam removal is here: reservoir drawdown. On January 11, 2024, initiated the drawdown process by opening the low-level outlet tunnel in the Iron Gate Dam. This is an exciting milestone towards dam removal, and we are thrilled to share the news with you! Update from the Klamath River […]