Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri

Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout © Robin Poole

Species description provided by Michael K. Young, Rocky Mountain Research Station
Description
Visually distinguished from other trout species by its 2 prominent red slashes on the lower jaw, and from other cutthroat trout subspecies by its medium-large, black spots that tend to be concentrated posteriorly and its drab brownish, yellowish, or silvery coloration, with brighter colors generally absent even in mature fish.

Habitat
Relatively clear, cold streams, rivers, and lakes.

Range
Yellowstone cutthroat trout have undergone substantial declines in distribution and abundance. In Montana, Yellowstone cutthroat trout occupy approximately 32% of their historical range. Most remaining indigenous populations in Montana inhabit headwater streams, though the Yellowstone River main stem also supports large numbers of this subspecies. Also, stocking in previously barren waters in historically occupied basins has been commonplace. For example, in Montana only 2-6 lakes were believed to be historically occupied, whereas over 100 lakes now support genetically pure Yellowstone cutthroat trout.

Status
Within its historical range, this subspecies is considered a “species of special concern” or a “sensitive species” by many state and federal natural resource agencies and organizations. In 1998, it was petitioned for listing as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, but this petition was rejected in February 2001.

Discussion
The Yellowstone cutthroat trout is a member of the Salmonidae, the family of trout, salmon, grayling, and whitefish. This subspecies was first described by C. E. Bendire in 1882 based on a sample from a disjunct population in Waha Lake, Idaho (Behnke 1992), but many explorers had made earlier observations of this subspecies in Montana and Wyoming (May 1996). Native Americans undoubtedly recognized this species for much longer.