Native trout of the interior west

Biologists have long been aware that cutthroat trout populations throughout the west have declined significantly. The cutthroat trout represents a diverse species, which has been divided into several subspecies. Three cutthroat trout subspecies, the Bonneville cutthroat trout, Colorado River cutthroat trout and Yellowstone cutthroat trout are native to Utah, meaning they existed in Utah prior to European settlement. One subspecies, the Lahontan cutthroat trout, was introduced into Morrison Creek, near Wendover, many years ago. The Bonneville cutthroat trout inhabits most of the western portion of Utah. The Colorado River cutthroat trout lives in tributaries to the Colorado River and Green River. The Yellowstone cutthroat trout has been found in the northwest corner of the state in the Raft River drainage.

Cutthroat trout face many threats including habitat fragmentation and degredation, nonnative competitors, and hybridization with rainbow trout and other cutthroat subspecies.

The native range of cutthroat trout spans accross state boundaries and occurs on lands managed by various entities. As a result, several agencies and groups are involved in cutthroat trout conservation and the relationships can be quite complex. This site was designed to provide a source of basic and techincal information for people interested in and involved in cutthroat trout conservation with a specific focus on Bonneville and Colorado River cutthroat trout.

Utah cutthroat trout subspecies

General cutthroat trout information and news

Cutthroat trout genetics position paper