Summer Steelhead Abundance Survey

The Mattole Watershed is home to a distinct population of steelhead that return to the Mattole in the spring, and live in the river until fall and winter to spawn with the rest of the salmon when they return.  Each year the MSG hosts a group of volunteers to survey the entire watershed to record the number of summer steelhead.  The surveyors snorkel through the river and record the number and size of adult fish seen.  Temperature readings, invasive species, and habitat data are also recorded during these surveys.  The Summer Steelhead Survey weekend provides a snapshot of the status of the entire watershed at a single time.

Did You Know?

A steelhead is the same species as a rainbow trout.  However, while some rainbow trout stay in their home stream their whole lives, others venture into the ocean and return with a silvery color…”steelhead”, get it?  Steelhead can make many trips to and from the ocean, while Chinook and coho salmon return only once to spawn, then die.