STEELHEAD DECAL (SPAWN)

Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are an anadromous form of Rainbow Trout, known for their remarkable life cycle that includes migrating from freshwater streams to the ocean and back. Found along the Pacific Coast of North America, steelhead are prized for both their beauty and their challenging fight in sport fishing. However, steelhead populations have been in decline due to habitat destruction, water pollution, overfishing, and the impact of dams that block migration routes. Additionally, climate change, which alters water temperatures and stream flows, presents an ongoing challenge for steelhead conservation. Many steelhead populations are listed as "Threatened" or "Endangered" under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, prompting efforts to restore their habitats and improve water quality. Conservation programs focus on protecting and restoring spawning and rearing habitats, enhancing fish passage over dams, and reducing the impacts of overfishing through sustainable fisheries management. Continued conservation efforts are crucial to ensuring that steelhead trout, an essential species in both freshwater and marine ecosystems, can thrive for future generations.