Coast cutthroat trout, (Salmo clarki clarki), are restricted in California to a narrow coastal strip 5 to 20 miles wide extending north from the Eel River Delta. Limited information regarding occurrence and relative abundance has been obtained as a by-product of anadromous fish sampling and habitat surveys. Estimates of sea run escapement, harvests, and angling use do not exist in California. Coast cutthroat trout appear to be declining in abundance as a result of widespread habitat degradation. Coast cutthroat trout in California have been observed in 780 miles of stream and 4 coastal lagoons. The best populations occur in the Smith River system. Sea run populations occur in larger waterways north of the Mad River. Little management effort outside of habitat protection and some limited stocking of hatchery reared fish has been directed toward coast cutthroat trout in this state.
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