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Cutthroat Trout
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| Cutthroat Trout ©
B. Moose Peterson/WRP Courtesy of eNature |
Species
description provided by eNature
Description
To 30" (76 cm); 41 lbs (18.6 kg). Elongate, cylindrical or
terete, moderately compressed; back dark olive; sides variable:
silvery, olive, reddish to yellow-orange; belly lighter; dark spots
on back, sides, and on median fins. Mouth extends beyond eye; basibranchial
teeth present; bright red to red-orange slash mark on each side
of throat, particularly visible in breeding males. 8-11 dorsal fin
rays; 9-12 anal fin rays; adipose fin present. Caudal peduncle narrow;
caudal fin slightly forked. Lateral line complete, 120-230 scales,
usually 150 or more.
Endangered Status
Three subspecies of the cutthroat trout are on the US Endangered
Species List. The Lahontan cutthroat trout is classified as threatened
in California, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah. The Paiute cutthroat trout
is classified as threatened in California. The Greenback cutthroat
trout is classified as threatened in Colorado. The decline of these
subspecies can be attributed to changes in habitat, usually caused
by water-management practices but also by livestock grazing and
the mining and timber industries; overfishing; and the introduction
of non-native fishes which prey upon, compete with, and hybridize
with the natives. A newly introduced illness called whirling disease
may also develop into a major threat.
Habitat
Inshore marine and estuarine waters; lakes; coastal, inland, and
alpine streams.
Range
From S. Alaska south to N. California; inland from S. British Columbia
and Alberta south to New Mexico; E. California east to central Colorado.
Introduced in W. United States.
Discussion
There are more than 10 subspecies of cutthroat trouts, locally called
"native trout," which vary in coloration and size. The
largest specimen, caught in Pyramid Lake, Nevada, in 1925, weighed
41 lbs (18.6 kg), but this strain is now extinct. Other cutthroats,
while rarely exceeding 15" (38 cm), are important in the inland
and coastal fishery, and are sought by anglers.
