Follow Along on a Spawner Survey!

February 18, 2026__|__NPS, PRNSA, and Watershed Stewards Program

What goes into monitoring endangered and threatened salmonids at the Seashore? 🐟

A salmonid is any fish belonging to the family Salmonidae, including federally endangered coho salmon and threatened steelhead trout—two species monitored at Point Reyes National Seashore by a collaborative team led by NPS with support from PRNSA, the Watershed Stewards Program (WSP), and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. These large, charismatic fish play crucial roles in both stream and ocean ecosystems, and are strong indicators of habitat health.

Coho and steelhead monitoring is unique at the Seashore in that it happens year-round, following the three main stages of the species’ life cycles. From December through January—when adults return to local watersheds to reproduce via the release of eggs and sperm into the water—the Point Reyes Fisheries Crew conducts weekly spawner surveys. Monitoring helps determine the health of the population over time, and identifies if management actions are needed, such as restoration work.

Last month, we joined one of the field crews on a spawner survey of Olema Creek. PRNSA’s Brentley McNeill and WSP Member Fanny Sanchez Villarreal took on monitoring in the lower section of the creek, while NPS Fisheries Biologist Mike Reichmuth, WSP Member Aidan Shell, and Scientist in Parks Intern Vienna Rist covered the upstream extent. Here’s what we found!

A total of six live adult coho and four steelhead were observed during the survey, and another fish quickly zipped past the downstream monitoring crew and couldn’t be identified to species. We also discovered four carcasses which were sampled for tissue, scales, and otoliths when possible (some carcasses are too decayed to collect a usable sample.) Over a dozen redds (nests sites) were documented throughout the day—two of these were confirmed coho and one was steelhead with actively spawning adults.

Now that the spawning season is nearing an end, the team is prepping for their next mission—smolt trapping! Starting in March, the crew will monitor the downstream migration of young fish as they make their way to the ocean. Interested in working with the fisheries team? Point Reyes National Seashore will be hosting a Summer Fisheries Intern through the Latino Heritage Internship Program. Learn more here!