What California Trout does

California Trout (CalTrout), founded in 1974 and headquartered in San Francisco, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to restoring wild salmon, steelhead, and trout populations across California's freshwater ecosystems. The organization operates through five key initiatives — Protect The Best, Reconnect Habitat, Integrate Wild Fish and Working Landscapes, Steward Source Water Areas, and Restore Estuaries — executed across seven regional offices covering all major California watersheds (North Coast, Central Valley, Sierra Headwaters, Bay Area, Mt. Shasta/Klamath, South Coast, and Mt. Lassen). Core technical capabilities include fish passage barrier removal and dam removal project design, instream flow enhancement monitoring, and the proprietary Aquatic Species Assessment Tool (ASAT), a quantitative framework for evaluating management impacts on salmonids and sensitive listed fish species. The organization co-produces the SOS II (State of the Salmonids) scientific assessment in partnership with the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences, providing the canonical endangerment baseline for California's native salmonids.

CalTrout's business model is grant- and donation-funded, with no commercial pricing. Revenue streams comprise individual donations (one-time and monthly recurring), the Giving Circles annual membership program, government grants from the Wildlife Conservation Board, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, NOAA, and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, corporate and foundation grants (Bella Vista, Nomellini, Tides, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, California State Coastal Conservancy), and symbolic programs such as Adopt-a-Salmon. An e-commerce gear shop is in development. The customer base spans government agencies, private foundations and conservation NGOs (The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited), tribal nations (Karuk Tribe, Quartz Valley Indian Reservation), agricultural landowners and ranchers (e.g., Hart Ranch), utility companies (PG&E), academic institutions (UC Davis, Stanford, San Diego State), and individual supporters engaged through events such as the Fish Water People Film Festival, Trout Camp, and the Eel River Pikeminnow Fishing Derby. CalTrout's competitive position rests on a 50-year track record, deep scientific partnerships, coalition leadership (notably the 45+ member South Coast Steelhead Coalition), and successful regulatory advocacy including its 2021-2024 petition that secured an endangered listing for below-barrier Southern California steelhead under the California Endangered Species Act.

Name

California Trout

Legal name

California Trout Inc.

Website

https://caltrout.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Short description

California Trout is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1974 that restores wild salmon, steelhead, and trout populations across California through dam removal, fish passage restoration, and watershed science, operating across seven regional offices in partnership with 45+ agencies, tribes, and NGOs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Finfish Farming and Fish Hatcheries (112511)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Resources & Watershed Protection (BPAGAGAK), Ecological Restoration Planning & Monitoring (Habitat, Wetland, Stream) (EUAHAHAF)

Keywords

• Freshwater habitat restoration
• Salmonid conservation programs
• Watershed protection services
• Fish passage engineering
• Environmental nonprofit services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting conservation mission, including one-time and recurring donation options
2. Giving Circles Membership: Annual membership program with giving circles for donors, offering benefits including access to Trout Camp and exclusive engagement opportunities
3. Government Grants: Funding from Wildlife Conservation Board, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, NOAA, USFWS and other government agencies for specific restoration projects
4. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Support from foundations and corporate partners for conservation initiatives
5. Adopt-a-Salmon Program: Symbolic adoption program allowing supporters to contribute to salmon conservation

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

California Trout is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization that provides science-based habitat restoration and watershed protection services for California's freshwater ecosystems, with a primary focus on wild salmon, steelhead, and trout. The organization delivers on-the-ground restoration projects including dam removals, fish passage barrier remediation, floodplain restoration, and source water area protection, and conducts scientific research, policy advocacy, and community education programs through seven regional offices across California.

Product overview

California Trout is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to restoring vibrance and abundance to California's freshwater ecosystems. Rather than offering a technology product or software platform, California Trout provides environmental conservation programs and services including habitat restoration projects, fish passage barrier removals, watershed protection initiatives, scientific research and monitoring, community education and outreach programs, and advocacy for salmon and steelhead recovery. The organization operates through five key initiative areas: Protect The Best (protecting salmon and steelhead strongholds), Reconnect Habitat (dam removal and fish passage), Integrate Wild Fish and Working Landscapes (balancing agriculture with fish habitat), Steward Source Water Areas (protecting Sierra Nevada and Mt. Shasta springs), and Restore Estuaries (coastal wetland restoration).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Habitat Restoration Programs (Protect The Best / Reconnect Habitat / Integrate Wild Fish and Working Landscapes / Steward Source Water Areas / Restore Estuaries)

Quantifiable outcome

• 4 dams removed or planned for removal on Klamath River, opening 400+ miles of habitat
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• UC Davis Center for Watershed SciencescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership with Dr. Peter Moyle (Distinguished Professor Emeritus) and Dr. Robert Lusardi (CalTrout/UC Davis Wild and Coldwater Fish Researcher) for scientific research on salmonid conservation and restoration science.
• The Nature ConservancymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation NGO partner in multiple projects including meadow restoration, well ordinance guidance report, and various watershed restoration initiatives across California.
• Trout UnlimitedmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading fly fishing and conservation organization; partner in Southern Steelhead Coalition and various habitat restoration projects.
• National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency responsible for salmon recovery planning. Partner in South Coast Steelhead Coalition and various fish passage and habitat restoration projects.
• California Department of Fish & WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState fish and wildlife agency; partner in salmon restoration, fish passage projects, and coho recovery efforts. Funder through various grant programs.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal conservation agency; partner in habitat restoration projects, steelhead recovery, and various conservation initiatives.
• Karuk TribemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal nation partner in fisheries management and watershed restoration, particularly in the Klamath Basin. Collaborated on Big Springs Youth Days educational event.
• Quartz Valley Indian ReservationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTribal partner in environmental education, participated in Big Springs Youth Days with macroinvertebrate education station.
• Siskiyou CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal government partner in Scott River restoration projects and groundwater management.
• Sonoma WaterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional water agency partner in Eel River Dams License Renewal (Potter Valley Project) through Two-Basin Solution coalition.
• Stanford UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in Searsville Dam Fish Passage project, working on long-term passage solutions for steelhead in San Francisquito Creek.
• Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtility company involved in dam licensing and removal discussions for Klamath River dams and Eel River dams (Potter Valley Project).
• Shasta Valley/Siskiyou RCDminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResource Conservation District partner in salmon habitat restoration and watershed planning in the Scott River watershed.
• San Diego State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner working with Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve on steelhead habitat improvement and monitoring.
• South Coast Steelhead CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalTrout leads this coalition of 45+ organizations including agencies, tribes, and NGOs working to recover Southern California steelhead populations.
• Santa Clara Steelhead CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalTrout-led coalition focused on Santa Clara River watershed, partnering with agencies and organizations to restore steelhead habitat.
• Watercourse Engineering Inc.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering firm providing technical expertise for Scott River restoration and habitat improvement projects.
• Scott River Water TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal water trust focused on protecting water rights and restoring streamflows in the Scott River watershed.
• Hart RanchmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor ranching partner in Little Shasta River Flow Enhancement Project, enabling water savings dedication for salmon habitat.
• California Counties (Well Ordinance Coalition)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition effort to assist California counties in updating well ordinances to protect water resources and streamflows for wildlife habitats.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: One of the world's largest environmental nonprofits with a broad conservation portfolio. CalTrout's named major partner, working alongside it on meadow restoration, well ordinances, and watershed projects. Much broader scope but directly comparable on California freshwater conservation.
• National Wildlife Federation: Large national conservation organization with broad wildlife and freshwater programs. Comparable as a major conservation nonprofit pursuing fish and water policy at the federal level, though with a much wider species and habitat scope than CalTrout.
• Defenders of Wildlife: National nonprofit focused on wildlife and habitat conservation with significant ESA advocacy work. Comparable on the endangered species advocacy dimension that drove CalTrout's CESA petition and litigation involvement.

Others

• Earthjustice: National environmental law organization frequently engaged in ESA and water rights litigation, including matters parallel to CalTrout's CESA steelhead advocacy. Comparable on the legal/advocacy dimension even though it is not a restoration-focused nonprofit.

Direct peers

• Resource Conservation Districts (California network): Network of local California special districts (e.g., Shasta Valley/Siskiyou RCD, a CalTrout partner) implementing on-the-ground conservation and watershed projects. Directly comparable at the project-execution level for restoration, water management, and landowner engagement.
• Salmon River Restoration Council: Northern California nonprofit focused on salmonid habitat restoration on the Salmon River. Directly comparable scope and restoration methods with CalTrout's North Coast and Mt. Shasta/Klamath region work.
• American Rivers: National nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring rivers and clean water. Highly comparable mission around dam removal, river connectivity, and watershed restoration; overlaps with CalTrout on Klamath and other dam-removal campaigns.
• Trout Unlimited: National nonprofit focused on coldwater conservation and trout/salmonid habitat; one of CalTrout's named major partners and operates in overlapping geographies (including California). Directly comparable mission, science-based restoration approach, and constituency of anglers and conservationists.
• Wild Salmon Center: International nonprofit focused on wild salmon and steelhead conservation in the Pacific. Comparable species focus, science-based approach, and emphasis on habitat connectivity and strongholds — directly overlapping CalTrout's portfolio.

Regional players

• Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations: West Coast commercial fishermen's association engaged in salmonid habitat and water policy advocacy. Comparable on California salmonid conservation interests and water policy coalitions, though representing fishing industry rather than anglers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/caltrout
• Facebookfacebook.com/CaliforniaTrout
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/california-trout
• Instagraminstagram.com/californiatrout

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about California Trout