Wednesday January 14, 2026
Northwest Sportsman —
An Endangered Species Act listing is “not warranted at this time” for Olympic Peninsula steelhead, according to a final finding set to be published on the Federal Register tomorrow, a U-turn from what seemed like a looming listing for Washington’s “crown jewel” fish.
The finding follows a deep dive by a specially convened federal status review team that evaluated the distinct population segment inhabiting rivers from Ocean Shores to nearly Port Angeles and said the stock was at “moderate risk of extinction.” That November 2024 determination was prompted by an initial 90-day finding in early 2023 that said a listing might in fact be needed. Two environmental organizations had petitioned in summer 2022 for a threatened or endangered designation.