Ever since I stumbled upon this old photo of steelhead anglers who had a banner day on the Ventura River long ago, I’ve been intrigued by the whole notion that the rivers of Southern California once harbored populations of sea-run rainbows that rival some of today’s best waters.
Prior to the 1940’s, the Ventura played host to an estimated 5,000 steelies annually (think about that one for a second!) — more than enough to support a popular spot fishery. In fact, several popular Hollywood stars of the day were said to have spent plenty of time wetting a line there.
An exploding human population, however, quickly did the Ventura’s steelies in around the 1940’s and now adult fish are only occasionally seen in the river. There is hope however for the future…
The biggest blow to the Ventura River’s steelhead run was the construction of Matilija Dam in 1947. Only 16 miles from the ocean, the concrete monolith blocks off all access to the upstream spawning tributaries. Throw in a bunch of water diversions and habitat loss below the dam due to development in the ensuing years and it’s easy to see why the river’s steelhead numbers have plummeted to nearly nothing. Here’s how the dam looks today (photo courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
The dam quickly became obsolete and, by the 1960’s, it was virtually worthless. The exciting news is there is a vast restoration project afoot, which includes dam removal by about the year 2010. It’s a huge cooperative effort between local and national non-profit groups, local, state and federal government agencies and private citizens.
You can read more about it here: Majtilija Dam Ecosystem Restoration Project
Considering there are good trout populations in many of the upstream tributaries (indicating that water temperatures and habitat are still hospitable), there’s a good chance steelhead will be able to reestablish themselves in the Ventura River once the dam comes down and the habitat is restored.
This is certainly a project to keep your eyes on — and, hopefully, it will lead to similar ones in the not to distant future.
Mike Sheller says
I was born in ventura in 1950. At about the age of 5 years I met an old neighbor gentileman by the name of Harry Lamb. I used to hang out at his house while he told me stories about harvesting salmon and steelhead from the Ventura River. I had not yet seen salmon or steelhead at that time, but I was ,already, a fierce slayor of bluegills and crappie in my ‘hood. Harry’s tales of trout that went to the ocean to grow huge, and then come back to this little stream to spawn had me absolutely mezmerized by these beautiful creatures I had only heard of.
Fast forward half a century. I now live in Springfield OR., and after catching several hundred steelhead, and salmon, I long to know of the race of steelhead that got me started on this lifelong search for this fish I hold so dear to my heart.
nAny information you could give me on the health of this race of steelhead would be greatly appreceated.
Thank you.
Mike sheller
JD says
Hi Mike, well…unfortunately…Ventura River steelhead are listed as an Endangered Species these days. There are still adult fish still returning on wet years, however! You can lean more here: http://www.venturariver.org