The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is home to a number of streams and coastal lagoons. A few native fish can be found in the mountain streams. Of significance is the arroyo chub (Gila orcuttii), which occur in the slow moving waters of Malibu Creek, and the federally endangered steelhead trout (Onchorynchus mykiss). Active ecological restoration is occurring at several park sites to improve access to spawning habitat for steelhead trout. Non-native fish that can also be found in mountain streams include the largemouth bass, bluegill and goldfish.

A number of native fish can be found in the coastal lagoons. Two fish species, the Pacific lamprey and California grunion, spawn within the recreation area boundary. Other native species include the killifish (Fundulus parvipinnis), arrow goby (Clevelandia ios), staghorn sculpin (Leptocottus armatus), long-jawed mudsucker (Gillichthys mirabilis), opaleye (Girella nigricans), topsmelt (Atherinops affinis), diamond turbot (Hypsopsetta guttulata), northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax), California halibut (Paralichthys californicus), Pacific lamprey (Lampetra tridentata), queenfish (Seriphus politus), bay pipefish (Syngnathus leptohynchus), starry flounder (Platichthys stellatus), kelpfish (Gibbonsia monterivensis), and serranid (Paralabrax sp.).

Click here to download a checklist of the fish of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.