Monday March 9, 2015
The Stockton Record –
Despite the drought, thousands of king salmon splashed their way up the San Joaquin River and its tributaries last year.
But the real test may be still to come.
Born in Central Valley rivers and streams, baby salmon ride freshwater flows to the ocean where they fatten up and spend most of their lives.
Most of the fish don’t return to inland rivers until they’re at least 3 years old. That means the fish that came home this year have been mostly insulated from the effects of the drought, which is just now entering its fourth year.