What is a Wild, Native Fish & Why are They Important?

A wild, native fish completes its entire lifecycle naturally, without human intervention and is a fish species that occurred naturally within a lake, stream, or river historically—not placed there by humans.



Wild, native fish are keystone species—meaning they’re uniquely entwined in a natural relationship with people and wildlife. Their wellbeing and success affect us all.

Today, the majority of the Pacific Northwest’s iconic native fish hover at just 1-10% of their historic abundance. The fate of native fish will be decided within our lifetimes. The revival of native fish is more than an environmental movement, it’s about preserving our shared cultures.