Wednesday April 23, 2025
NoozHawk —
After more than 200 Southern California steelhead trout were rescued from getting washed out by mudslides, dozens of new trout have spawned in their new home at the Arroyo Hondo Preserve.
In January, California Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel spent a day rescuing the trout, a nearly extinct population, just before mudslides washed large amounts of ash and sediment into Topanga Creek after the devastating Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County.
In February, the steelhead were relocated to Arroyo Hondo Creek in the Arroyo Hondo Preserve, which is managed by the Santa Barbara County Land Trust.
On April 7, Land Trust Land Programs Director Leslie Chan noticed possible spawning activity, and CDFW confirmed the presence of approximately 100 newly hatched trout, known as Young of the Year trout.
“It gives me a lot of hope,” said Kyle Evans, CDFW environmental program manager, who led the trout relocation.