NOAA Fisheries 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List the Olympic Peninsula Steelhead Distinct Population Segment Under the Endangered Species Act

On January 13, 2026, NOAA released its 12-month finding on Wild Fish Conservancy and The Conservation Angler’s petition to list Olympic Peninsula steelhead. In it’s decision, NOAA determined that Olympic Peninsula steelhead qualify as a distinct population segment under the ESA and acknowledged long-term population declines, reduced productivity, and substantial uncertainty, but concluded that listing is not warranted at thi time.