Some American fish were thought to be gone for good, wiped out from rivers, lakes, and streams. But a few managed to make a stunning comeback.
These stories are all about resilience, luck, and the tireless work of biologists. How do “lost” species return? Each species has its own surprising twist.
1. Candy Darter
The Candy Darter, once flashing its neon blue and red colors through Appalachian streams, seemed like it was headed for extinction. By the 1950s, dams and pollution had wiped out more than half of its habitat.
It was declared locally extinct in parts of Virginia and West Virginia, and it looked like all hope was gone. But everyone wondered if this little fish could make a comeback.
Hope Returned
Luckily, hope returned. Conservationists cleared barriers, cleaned up streams, and reintroduced Candy Darters that had been raised in captivity. Against all odds, wild-born darters are now appearing in streams they hadn’t been in for decades.
Once nearly forgotten, this bright little fish is making a comeback, which is a reminder that recovery is possible with hard work.
2. Greenback Cutthroat Trout
Once a pride of Colorado streams, the Greenback Cutthroat Trout was also thought to be extinct. Sadly, overfishing and mining runoff had taken their toll.
For years, scientists searched in vain, mourning another loss for North America’s wild waters. When hints of the trout finally appeared, everyone wondered: could it really be the genuine Greenback?
A Miracle
Miraculously, a tiny, isolated population with genuine Greenback genes was rediscovered. Conservation efforts and carefully bred reintroductions created an incredible comeback.
Now, Greenback Cutthroat Trout are returning to Colorado streams in growing numbers. These trout show how science can undo past damage and bring nearly lost species back to life.
3. Apache Trout
Known for being golden and speckled, Arizona’s Apache Trout were in serious trouble by the 1970s. Livestock, logging, and invasive trout had choked their streams, causing sharp population drops.
By the middle of the century, only a few tiny populations survived in remote mountain waters. With deep cultural importance, especially to tribal communities, their potential loss was heartbreaking.
An Amazing Recovery
Thanks to Indigenous stewardship and government partnerships, Apache Trout began to recover. Restoring streams and removing threats helped populations bounce back.
By 2025, centuries after being considered doomed, they were taken off the federal endangered species list. Today, anglers and conservationists celebrate Apache Trout as proof that dedicated efforts can bring species back from the brink.
4. Lake Sturgeon
Ancient Lake Sturgeon, which are considered to be living fossils from prehistoric times, were wiped out across much of the Midwest by dams and caviar harvesting. After surviving millions of years, human activity nearly ended their story.
They were declared functionally extinct in several rivers, and these giant fish became legendary.
A Slow Comeback
After decades of work restoring spawning habitats and stopping overharvesting, Lake Sturgeon are slowly coming back. Young, wild sturgeon are now being spotted more often in the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.
Their steady return is a hopeful sign, not just for these ancient fish, but for rivers that can still heal when we give them the chance.
5. Devils Hole Pupfish
The Devils Hole Pupfish is North America’s rarest fish, living in a single, 90-degree pool in Death Valley. Its entire existence depended on just a few dozen individuals.
Rockfalls, groundwater pumping, and climate change all threatened to wipe out this tiny blue fish. Over the years, conservationists watched closely, doing everything they could to keep it from disappearing.
It Worked Out
Miraculously, careful management and creative habitat solutions worked. Scientists bred Devils Hole Pupfish in captivity, created backup populations, and protected their natural spring.
Even after numbers dropped to just 35, the population reached a decade high in 2025.
6. Red Snapper
Red Snapper became surprisingly rare in the Gulf of Mexico. Years of overfishing and weak regulation drove populations to historic lows, prompting strict harvest limits.
Seafood lovers and recreational fishers worried, wondering: could this culinary icon ever bounce back from such heavy depletion?
A Success Story
Science-driven quotas, stricter rules, and reef restoration helped Red Snapper make a comeback. Populations are rising, turning the Gulf fishery into a success story.
Now, careful monitoring lets people enjoy sustainably caught snapper while keeping the ecosystem healthy.
7. Atlantic Salmon
Wild Atlantic Salmon once filled Northeast rivers with shimmering, leaping life. But logging, dams, and development blocked their ancient migrations.
By the late 20th century, wild salmon were almost gone. Could these legendary swimmers still make a comeback, or were they a thing of the past?
Decades of Effort
Luckily, restoring blocked rivers, running hatchery programs, and protecting spawning grounds helped Atlantic Salmon make a slow comeback.
Today, small but growing salmon runs return each year, which is a testament to decades of effort.
8. Razorback Sucker
The Razorback Sucker, which is known for its sharp spine, was pushed toward extinction in the Colorado River by irrigation projects and invasive species.
Once there were millions, but by the late 20th century, this unique native was feared to be missing from most of its range.
Relentless Effort
Relentless efforts like stocking young fish, improving river flows, and removing invasive predators helped Razorback Suckers make a comeback.
They’re now successfully spawning in parts of the Colorado River, and some populations are strong enough to consider easing their protection status.
9. Cui-ui
Nevada’s Cui-ui, a unique lake fish sacred to the Paiute Tribe, was pushed to the brink of extinction by dams and water diversion.
As lake levels fell and spawning grounds dried, they barely avoided extinction. Losing the Cui-ui would have been a cultural and ecological tragedy.
Healthy Spawns
However, legal protections, dam fixes, and controlled water releases helped Cui-ui fish make a comeback. By the 2020s, healthy spawns were recorded, and tribal celebrations marked their return.
They are still closely monitored, but the Cui-ui shows that determined efforts can restore wildlife and cultural connections.
Nature’s Rebuke
Each of these nine American fish, once thought to be extinct, has made a remarkable return, proving that extinction isn’t always final.
Their stories show what science, collaboration, and persistence can achieve. The work isn’t done, but every comeback reminds us that “gone” doesn’t always mean gone.