Home / Siskiyou News / CDFW Completes Release of 23 Million Fall-Run Chinook Salmon

CDFW Completes Release of 23 Million Fall-Run Chinook Salmon

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has completed the release of approximately 23 million fall-run Chinook salmon raised at its four Central Valley anadromous fish hatcheries, the Feather River Fish Hatchery, the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, the Mokelumne River Fish Hatchery and the Merced River Hatchery.

CDFW NEWS Aug. 23, 2023

Beyond the hatchery production increase, CDFW carried out several new, innovative and experimental release strategies to take advantage of some of the best in-river flows and water conditions in years and to increase overall survival. In 2023: 

The 23 million salmon raised and released by CDFW in 2023 represents a 15 percent increase over the roughly 20 million fall-run Chinook salmon raised and released in 2022. This year’s production goals were increased as a coordinated effort among state and federal partnering agencies to help fall-run Chinook salmon overcome impacts from an extended drought that increased water temperatures and decreased water flow throughout the Central Valley during critical salmon spawning and rearing periods. Drought conditions coupled with Thiamine Deficiency Complex, a vitamin deficiency that impacts reproduction, have reduced in-river spawning success the past several years.

** For the first time since 2020, CDFW conducted in-river salmon releases within the Feather River and the American River to take advantage of the increased water flows associated with winter storms that lingered into the spring. These flows increased available rearing habitat and provided for increased survival while migrating toward the ocean. Salmon smolts outfitted with acoustic tags were released with larger groups in their natal rivers to allow CDFW to monitor and track their downstream migration to the ocean. Preliminary results suggest high survival for groups of hatchery-raised fish released into the river systems in 2023. Watch the May 16, 2023, release of fall-run Chinook salmon smolts into the American River (Video).

** The more than one million salmon fry released into the American River in February represented CDFW’s initial effort with “Parentage Based Tagging” or PBT. These juvenile salmon don’t carry physical markings or tags, but their genetic signatures have been recorded and stored for future analysis to evaluate the overall success of the fry release.

** The Feather River Fish Hatchery released smaller juvenile fall-run Chinook salmon earlier in the spring than the typical smolt releases to diversify hatchery release strategies as well as the timing and size of hatchery-raised fish entering into the bay and marine environments.

** CDFW added to the release sites and strategies used within San Francisco and San Pablo bays. These included new release locations at: the Estuary and Ocean Science Center in partnership with San Francisco State University; Point San Quentin, in partnership with the Marin Rod and Gun Club; and Brickyard Cove in Richmond in partnership with the City of Richmond and the Golden Gate Salmon Association. At these locations, smolts were released at night on strong outgoing tides to reduce bird predation and encourage seaward migration. 

** With the exception of PBT release groups in the American River, 25 percent of all fall-run Chinook salmon raised and released by CDFW’s Central Valley anadromous fish hatcheries carry coded-wire tags (CWT) with information on their origin and have a clipped adipose fin to indicate their hatchery origin. Both CWT and PBT tagged fish will provide important scientific data that will inform future management decisions and hatchery operations.

Fall-run Chinook salmon support the bulk of California’s commercial and recreational salmon fishing seasons. Although ocean and in-river salmon fishing seasons have been closed for 2023, fishing seasons will be reevaluated in 2024. 

  • FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT: Carson’s Window Coverings & More
    Post Views: 4 Filing No.: 2026-47-0190FILED IN: Siskiyou CountyDATE: 06-03-2026Laura Bynam, ClerkBy: D.Brooks,Deputy ClerkFICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENTThe following person (persons) is (are) doing business as:Carson’s Window Coverings & More108 S. BroadwayYreka, CA 96097 in SiskiyouMailing Address:108 S. BroadwayYreka, CA 96097530 598-9247Registered Owner(s):Maridee CarsonThis Business is conducted by: An IndividualThe registrant commenced to transact business under
  • Traffic Stop in Siskiyou County Leads to $1.9 Million Cocaine Seizure, Driver Arrested
    Post Views: 7 Source – Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office -$1.9 Million Cocaine Seizure Results in Arrest- On May 29, 2026 at approximately 1150 hours, a Siskiyou County Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 2022 Mazda CX5 for a mechanical violation. During the traffic stop, the driver was found to be unlicensed and demonstrating multiple
  • F-35A Lightning II Jets from Luke AFB Arrive for Two-Week Training at Kingsley Field
    Post Views: 5 Siskiyou County, California — Residents in Siskiyou County and surrounding areas may notice increased jet activity and noise in the skies over Shasta Valley and nearby regions as a squadron of advanced F-35A Lightning II fighters from Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, trains with the Oregon Air National Guard’s 173rd Fighter Wing.
  • Mountain Lion F29 to Be Relocated Again — Residents Question Whether It Will Stick
    Post Views: 11 Mountain Lion F29 Under Active Capture Operation Near Mount Shasta MOUNT SHASTA, CA — The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Tuesday that F29, the juvenile female mountain lion that has been preying on pets and small livestock in the Weed and Mount Shasta areas,
  • Fake Virus Alerts, Phishing, and Online Scams: How to Protect Yourself From Today’s Most Common Digital Threats
    Post Views: 51 A Message from Digital Expert My name is Sohaib Ur Rehman, and I work with Siskiyou News in digital publishing and online media. Over the years, I have seen countless examples of misleading online advertisements, phishing attempts, fake virus warnings, and other internet scams designed to trick users into sharing personal information

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *