The Rogue River is the largest producer of Pacific salmon in Oregon outside of the Columbia River with nearly 100,000 anadromous fish returning from the ocean each year.16 These massive salmon and steelhead runs provide the backbone for a sport and commercial fishing economy worth millions of dollars annually to the state of Oregon.17

The lower Rogue River and associated tributaries provide ecologically valuable habitat for fish and other aquatic species.  All five runs of Pacific salmon found in the Rogue River – fall and spring chinook, coho and
summer and winter steelhead – utilize the proposed Wild & Scenic tributaries within the roadless areas for spawning, rearing and as migration.18  Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has determined that the tributaries proposed for Wild & Scenic designation are among the most important areas in the entire lower and middle Rogue River for spawning and rearing for winter and summer steelhead and Coho salmon in
particular.19    

Coho salmon, which use these tributaries, is listed as “threatened” (Southern Oregon/Northern California) under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA).  Although they are not listed under the ESA, summer steelhead that utilize the middle Rogue are in decline and are the weakest part of the Klamath Mountain Province ESU.20  About 20 species of game and non-game fish inhabit this area,21  including Pacific lamprey.

According to the Wild Rogue North Watershed Analysis:

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has been reviewing the population status of fish species throughout western Oregon to determine whether individual stocks warrant listing as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Current status of species in the Wild Rogue North watershed include:

    Southern Oregon/Northern California coho salmon - Threatened
    Southern Oregon & Northern California Chinook - Does not warrant listing
    Klamath Mountain Province Steelhead – Candidate [for listing]
    Oregon Coast Cutthroat - Under status review