Steelhead thrive in Santa Rosa, San Simeon creeks

One of the more exciting natural events in Cambria’s watersheds occurs when winter rains cause the creeks to burst through accumulated beach sand and flow into the sea. It is a special treat to see San Simeon and Santa Rosa creeks flowing into the ocean, freshwater mingling with saltwater. It only happens when there has been significant rainfall, such as we have had recently.

When the creeks flow all the way to the ocean, steelhead trout leave freshwater pools and migrate out to sea to begin their saltwater life phase. Steelhead, which are related to salmon, are born in freshwater creeks and rivers, spend years in the ocean and return to their birthplace to spawn.

This is a remarkable thing to be able to do. Saltwater has significantly different qualities than freshwater. Most fish quickly die when placed in the wrong type of water. Steelhead and salmon go through a metamorphosis similar to that required of a tadpole that’s becoming a frog. Steelhead can do this more than once in their lifetime, which makes them unique.

San Simeon and Santa Rosa creeks are considered some of the best steelhead habitat in central and southern California. Adult steelhead can reach about 2 feet in length. Longtime locals and ranchers recall good times catching steelhead, and their distinctive flavor. Nowadays, our local steelhead are protected by state and federal laws, and fishing for steelhead is strictly catch and release.

Not long ago, during drought years, biologists and volunteers would capture the larger fish, place them in water-filled ice chests, transport them over the sandbar and release them in the ocean. That sort of assistance is no longer allowed, and the fish must wait for opportunity to pursue flowing water downstream during winter storms.

Returning steelhead that are ready to spawn are drawn to the unique chemical composition of the water in the creeks and rivers whence they came. They travel upstream to find the ideal place to build a redd — a nest for their eggs. Females release dozens of eggs; males swim over and fertilize them. In three to four weeks, tiny fish, called fry, hatch out and feed on freshwater plankton. Young fish spend one to three years in the creek before taking the big plunge into the sea, where they may live three to four years before returning to spawn.

Threats to steelhead include warming waters, reduced water flow, dams, drought, pesticides and agriculture.

Hopefully, this year’s rains will provide a good environment for returning steelhead to spawn. This summer, if you walk along the creek, look in shadowy pools for 3- to 4-inch fingerlings. In the fall, before the winter rains begin, larger fish cluster in deep sections of the creek near the ocean. This is where they wait until winter rains come, ready to start the adventure once more.

This story was originally published March 9, 2016 at 11:40 AM with the headline "Steelhead thrive in Santa Rosa, San Simeon creeks."