Chinook Salmon Released into the Sacramento River: A Community Celebration of Conservation
On the evening of Friday, February 21, a remarkable event unfolded beneath the Sundial Bridge near Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding, California. Around 60 enthusiastic spectators gathered to witness the release of 400 young fall-run Chinook salmon into the Sacramento River—a turnout that far surpassed expectations and demonstrated the growing interest in salmon conservation.
This annual event, now in its fifth year, is a collaboration between Turtle Bay Exploration Park and Coleman Fish Hatchery as part of the Conservation Head Start program. This initiative is designed to bolster the Chinook salmon population, which continues to face significant challenges due to habitat loss, water pollution, and climate change.
Sharon Clay, the Curator of Animal Programs at Turtle Bay, emphasized the importance of giving these fish a head start. "We raised about 425 of them this year, which is the most we've ever done. Because they're bigger, healthier, and stronger when released, they have a better chance of survival in the wild," Clay explained.
The salmon, which arrived at Turtle Bay as tiny half-inch fry, spent nearly a year in a carefully controlled environment designed to maximize their health and development. "We keep our tank very clean, separate from any other of our fish tanks. It’s just for them. It’s monitored. It’s got an entire filtration system on it, and we manage how much food they’re getting to make sure they’re healthy," Clay added. By the time of their release, they had grown to a healthy size of 2-3 inches, ready to transition into their natural habitat.
Jaden Klaus, an animal trainer at Turtle Bay Exploration Park, expressed her deep passion for the program. "This is why we do it—taking care of these animals and giving them a chance out in the wild. It's the best part of my life. It’s why I’m here," she said.
Turtle Bay's Animal Care team members Sharon Clay and Jaden Klaus get interviewed by KRCR after the Chinook Salmon release on February 21, 2025.
For many attendees, the experience was both educational and inspiring. First-time participants Martha Vuist-Bruske and Karen Fletcher were particularly moved by what they learned. "We’re big supporters of Turtle Bay and the salmon run. She [Clay] had a lot of information about conservation and what we need to do to protect them. It was great," Vuist-Bruske shared.
The timing of the release—held in the evening—was a strategic decision aimed at increasing the salmon’s chances of survival. By releasing them after dark, they were less likely to fall prey to daytime predators, allowing them to acclimate safely to their new home in the river.
The event not only reinforced the importance of conservation efforts but also brought the community together in a shared mission to protect and restore the natural world. Turtle Bay will be getting another batch of Chinook salmon in approximately April and will be raising them in their tank for a whole year until they are released into the Sacramento River this time next year. Guests are invited to visit Turtle Bay and watch as the young salmon grow, learning about their development and the conservation efforts that support them.
“We are very privileged to have the opportunity to raise these threatened animals for a fifth year in a row. Salmon are such an important part of the river ecosystem. We want to do all we can to make a difference,” said Sharon Clay.
As the Chinook salmon embark on their journey downstream, they serve as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all living things and the role we all play in preserving our environment for future generations. The public and members of the press are welcome to observe future releases, which take place at the Sundial Bridge on the south banks of the Sacramento River near Turtle Bay Museum.
