How shrinking snowpack is hurting Pacific Northwest salmon [Video]

Climate change has pushed temperatures up, further imperiling the Pacific Northwest’s iconic fish species.

SISTERS, Ore. —

Bob Rees has been leading salmon fishing trips in Oregon for nearly 30 years. When he first started as a professional fishing guide in 1996, life was good. He was doing a job he loved, and the fish were plentiful.

But things have changed on Oregon’s rivers over the decades.

“We had closures for wild steelhead, wild Coho salmon, wild spring Chinook, wild cutthroat trout,” Rees said. “We historically had around 200 days of meaningful opportunity. Today we’re really down to maybe about 50.”

The decline of salmon and steelhead has a number of causes. Hydroelectric dams have left them cut off from their habitat and altered river flows. Hatchery fish have caused issues with their genetics. Some runs have been over-fished.

But there’s one key indicator Rees looks to when he’s trying to gauge an upcoming season.

“We watch with a lot of anxiety …

Tags Climate Change, Climate Crisis, Climate Emergency, Climate Justice