RIO LINDA, CA (May 5, 2025) – In a major change of plans aimed at rescuing California’s struggling salmon populations, state wildlife officials have done something never tried before: releasing millions of young hatchery-raised Chinook salmon directly into the main stem of the Sacramento River.
This historic release of roughly 3.5 million juvenile fall-run Chinook salmon happened in mid-April near Redding and Butte City. Typically, hatchery fish are released into the rivers where their hatcheries are located, like the Feather or Mokelumne Rivers. This new strategy, using fish from increased production at those hatcheries, marks a significant effort to boost salmon numbers specifically in the main Sacramento River channel.
Why the Change? Salmon Crisis Hits Home…