Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarki)

Appearance

• Cutthroat trout are named for the bright red-orange streak in the fold under the mouth.
• Other identifying features for cutthroat trout include small scales and black spots without haloes on the sides.

• These trout are native to the mountain and foothill streams of southern Alberta.
• They have been introduced into the Ram River west of Red Deer, and a few other small, cold streams tributary to the North Saskatchewan, Athabasca and Peace rivers.

Habitat

• Cutthroat trout prefer colder water than do the closely related rainbow trout.

Breeding Behaviour

• Cutthroat trout spawn in the spring, which may be as late as early July in high mountain streams.

Status

Native populations of cutthroat trout are classified as At Risk in the current General Status of Alberta Wild Species report. Introduced stock populations of cutthroat trout are classified as Secure. See:

• General Status

This species is also classified as Threatened under Alberta's Wildlife Act; protective regulations under this act that apply to fish species are under development. See:

• Species at Risk

This species is also protected under the Alberta Fisheries Regulations, which regulate fisheries harvest in Alberta. 

Issues

• Native stocks of cutthroat trout are in decline in their traditional range due to breeding with introduced populations of rainbow trout and non-native cutthroat trout.

Current management

Fishing

Cutthroat trout are cold-water game fish subject to current Alberta sportfishing regulations. For details, see the My Wild Alberta website at:

• Fishing