Abstract: Based on the investigation of fishery catches in two regional river sections (Panzhihua and Qiaojia ) in the middle and lower reaches of Jinsha River from 2012 to 2017, the biological and ecological characteristics of endemic fish in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River were studied. On this basis, the protective measures for endemic fish in the middle and lower reaches of Jinsha River were discussed. The results showed that: a total of 25 species of endemic fishes, belonging to 17 genera and 4 families, were collected during the period of 2012-2017. After the water fillings of Xiangjiaba and Xiluodu Reservoirs, the abundances of the main endemic fishes decreased significantly. Except Anabarilius liui, other 24 species of fishes prefer to the habitats with flowing water and gravels. The food characteristics of endemic fish, water temperature during spawning period and distribution characteristics of juvenile shelter can affect their biological characteristics to a certain extent. Based on the analysis of biological and ecological characteristics, it is considered that cascade development and sustained overfishing in the main and tributaries of the middle and lower reaches of the Jinsha River are the main factors affecting the variations in endemic fish resources in this region. Therefore, it is suggested that the naturalization of important tributary habitats should be maintained at the level of river basin planning, while extending the lengths of the river sections with the flowing habitat in the backwater fluctuation areas of each reservoir in the mainstem of the middle and lower reaches of Jinsha River as far as possible; in addition, fisheries management should be strengthened in important habitat areas, and artificial propagation of endemic fish should be accelerated in the future.