Salmon and steelhead eggs are hatched and reared at freshwater sites in northeastern California and are transferred to coastal tank systems. Here they are transitioned to salt water. Growers are also using innovative marketing techniques of shipping smaller salmon to the northwest and buying back larger salmon for finishing before selling to the whole fish market. Several growers are working with Atlantic salmon at land-based facilities, including development of Atlantic salmon broodstock and egg sources. With California's large population and love for recreational fishing and fish-related hobbies, the state's nonfoodfish aquaculture industry is big business.
Baitfish production consists primarily of golden shiners and fathead minnows.
Production is accomplished in ponds with some fathead minnows produced in polyculture with channel catfish. California imports a significant number of golden shiners from other states and internally produces about 18-20 million fish annually. The majority of these are used to feed more valuable fish in the aquarium trade. A large segment of this industry, however, produces these same species as ornamental fish in the lucrative world of hobby fish. Production of these fish takes place throughout California in ponds, tanks, and closed systems.