Our mission is to restore California salmon for their economic, recreational, commercial, environmental, cultural, and health values.

Our Impact

Turning advocacy into action — measurable wins for salmon and the people who depend on them. Through policy leadership, common-sense solutions, and collaboration with fishermen, conservationists, and agencies, GSSA ensures real progress where it matters most: in our waters.

$20 MILLION

$20 million in federal salmon restoration funds steered to better projects due to GSSA intervention

2 MILLION

2 million extra Coleman hatchery fry were released, and a DNA tagging program was started

1,000 ACRES

Restoration of over 1,000 acres of floodplain due to GSSA intervention to win permits

200 KIDS ENGAGED

200 kids provided with on-water experiential education activities and charter boat fishing trips


Join Our Email Network

When you sign up, you’ll become a member of Golden State Salmon’s Action Network. We will keep you informed with the latest action alerts, victories, progress reports, salmon fishery updates, and our monthly newsletter.


A BROAD COALITION TO RESTORE SALMON

GSSA is a coalition that includes commercial and recreational salmon fishermen and women, related businesses, restaurants, native tribes, environmentalists, elected officials, families, and communities that rely on salmon, which reaches from Oregon to the Central Coast, through the Bay-Delta, and up dozens of rivers in the Central Valley.

News & Press Releases


Key Programs

Turning strategy into solutions — coordinated efforts in water, hatcheries, habitat, and education that deliver measurable progress for salmon, rivers, and the communities that rely on them.

Water Policy

Advocating for science-based water flow and temperature policies for California’s rivers to protect salmon and maintain healthy Central Valley rivers

Learn More>>

Hatcheries

Increasing survivor rates of smolt from indigenous salmon to bolster populations for people and nature

Learn More>>

Habitat

Restoration and preservation of habitat are required for spawning, successful egg hatches, and smolt migration to the ocean

Learn More>>

Education

Creating future fishermen and women, outdoor enthusiasts, and conservationists through on-water and charter boat experiences for inner-city children

Learn More>>

Salmon Under Assault

California’s salmon are fighting for survival against dams, diversions, and disappearing habitat. GSSA is leading the effort to restore the rivers, hatcheries, and water policies necessary for recovery.

THE PROBLEM

All the major salmon rivers in California are now dammed, cutting off access to habitat and the natural flows salmon need to survive.  River banks, side channels, and floodplains, all needed to rear salmon, have been badly altered. 

THE SOLUTION

Restoring some semblance of more natural river conditions, with adequate cold water flows and bank, side channel, and floodplain habitat, is needed to support salmon recovery.  Maximizing hatchery production is necessary to keep the industry viable.

THE PLAN

GSSA has developed a science-based plan that prioritizes restoration of salmon through a series of hatchery, habitat, and water flow improvements.  Science shows that leaving more water in the rivers is the single best thing to do to help salmon. 

Industry Partners & Sponsors

United by a shared commitment to restore California’s salmon, our partners and sponsors provide vital support for on-the-water projects, advocacy, and community education.