Cutthroat Trout Fishing Guide

The cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) is named for the vivid red or orange slash marks on both sides of the lower jaw, one of the most distinctive identification features of any North American fish. There are at least 14 recognized subspecies, including the Yellowstone, Lahontan (the largest, growing to 40+ pounds in Pyramid Lake, Nevada), westslope, and coastal cutthroat, each adapted to dramatically different environments. Lewis and Clark were the first Europeans to scientifically document cutthroat trout during their 1804–1806 expedition. In their native range, cutthroat are often the only trout present — their populations were isolated in mountain drainages as ice-age glaciers retreated. Cutthroat are generally less wary than brown trout and more willing to take dry flies, making them beloved by fly fishers.

Cutthroat Trout is a freshwater species.

Habitat

Cold mountain streams and lakes of the Rocky Mountains, Great Basin, Sierra Nevada, and Pacific Coast drainages. Yellowstone cutthroat are closely associated with the Yellowstone Lake system; coastal cutthroat use estuaries; Lahontan cutthroat occupy alkaline desert lakes. Require cold, clear water and are sensitive to habitat alteration.

Diet

Insects (aquatic and terrestrial), small fish, crayfish, and invertebrates. Cutthroat are more willing to rise to dry flies than almost any other trout species — a significant reason fly fishers travel great distances to fish for them in backcountry settings.

Fishing Techniques

Best Seasons

Summer, Fall

Size & Records

Average weight: 1 lbs. World record: 41 lbs (Pyramid Lake, Nevada, USA (1925)).