Spokane’s signature fish, the wild Redband trout, deserves to be saved, defended, and protected.
photo T. Ghezzi
photos: (Top) Tim Connor, and (above) Sean Zenishek
Redband trout, Spokane's fish
The wild native Redband trout has lived in the streams and rivers of this region for thousands of years. Feeding countless generations of inhabitants of the Spokane and surrounding areas. The Redband is our iconic native fish, threatened by habitat degradation. The community of Spokane is in control of its future. The Redband population has been severely reduced due to habitat destruction, warm water temperatures and the negative effects of sediment loading on riverbeds.
"An abundance of trout, almost equal to that of the salmon...." J.G. Cooper (1855)
Fish Facts
Redband Trout commonly grow larger than 10 inches. photo Tim Connor
• Spokane’s iconic Redband is a subspecies of the rainbow trout.
• Current population estimates of 300 fish per mile downstream of Spokane are much lower than other local "blue ribbon" trout streams.
• The United States Fish and Wildlife Service records the Redband trout as a species of concern.
• The Redband trout is visually distinct with its rosy to brick red coloring (or band) running the length of its body, from its gills to tail.
• Distinct white tips on the anal, dorsal, and pectoral fins
• The Redband has darker and larger rounded spots than a rainbow trout and keeps these beautiful, freckle like dark marks through adulthood.
• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) consider the Redband trout to be a sentinel species and a barometer of aquatic health.
• The Redband inhabit the cool clean waters of the Spokane River watershed, but have been pushed out of those tributaries and the main-stem of the Spokane River with damaged habitat.
Conservation Concerns:
poor water quality, damaged habitats Threaten redband health and Survival
Removal of shoreline forests cause high water temperatures, sediment, and "flashy flows", all of which harm native Redband Trout. Further issues are chronic exposure to toxic pollution from storm water and waste water dischargers. this Pollution adds ENVIRONMENTAL insults to both trout, and the fish and insects they depend on for food.
Riparian vegetation such as this protects water quality and provides habitat for trout and other organisms.
Loss of riparian habitat leads of poor water quality.
this fish needs our help
The Redband inhabit the cool clean waters of the Spokane River ecosystem. The Spokane River and its tributaries are prime spawning habitats for trout. The Redband trout are not stocked and naturally reproduce. Redbands need gravel riverbeds free of silt for successful spawning. This silt carries nasty nutrients like phosphorus that promote algae growth and deplete oxygen that fish need to breath.
Flooding in winter of 2016-17 on Hangman Creek transported tons of sediment and covered substrate in the Spokane River that fish and insects depend on for spawning and habitat. Photos Cutboard Studios
Shoreline forests and vegetation help keep our River clean and provide essential habitat for trout.
Protecting, restoring, and maintaining suitable habitat for trout is the goal in saving our native Redband Trout. Our focus is on the protection of Spokane River and it's tributaries. We must restore, improve, and protect shoreline habitat (stream-side vegetation). Shoreline forestation and vegetation are essential in keeping the river clean, the water temperatures cool and decreases the effect of negative sediment loading.
Join the redband rally to explore what our partners are doing to protect this native fish.
The Redband Trout is your fish, help Keep the Spokane River Wild and restore the native Redbands.
Local organizations have joined together restore our native trout. Creating objectives for the conservation of the Redband and implementing these practices we achieve our goals of saving, defending, and protecting Spokane's iconic fish. Silver Bow, SFTU, etc.