wyoming game and fish department's

cutt-slam

 

How to participate

Participation in the Wyoming Cutt-Slam is free
and super simple.

What you do

Hit the road and catch Wyoming's four cutthroat sub-species in their native range in Wyoming. To find out where, check out our interactive Cutt-Slam guide interactive Cutt-Slam guide.

Take a clear photo of each fish and collect the date and location.

Attach your photos and enter your catches in the online Cutt Slam application.

If you are having trouble with applying or have questions about the slam, email us at wgf-cuttslam@wyo.gov



buffalo cutthroat graphic

Recognition

How we recognize you for completing a Wyoming Cutt-Slam

What we do

Once we receive documentation that you have caught all four sub-species, the Wyoming Game and Fish will send you:

A personalized certificate featuring the four sub-species recognizing your accomplishment.

A Wyoming Cutt-Slam medallion provided by Wyoming Trout Unlimited.

A super awesome vehicle decal to show off your accomplishment on the road and around town.

While we encourage completion and submission of multiple Cutt-Slam's, medallions and certificates are only provided for the first submission.



Wyoming Trout Unlimited logo
buffalo cutthroat graphic

Where to catch native cutthroat

Wyoming is at the headwaters of the continents major river systems

Where anglers go to complete the Cutt-Slam

Historically the state was home to six sub-species of cutthroat trout. Today five remain including the Bonneville (Bear River), Colorado River, Snake River, Yellowstone and Westslope Cutthroat (only found in extreme northwest Wyoming in Yellowstone National Park and not part of the Cutt-Slam).

The WGFD is involved in numerous projects to protect and enhance these and other native fish resources for the enjoyment of the public and future generations.

The interactive guide below was created as a tool to aid anglers in planning a Cutt-Slam. The guide doesn’t include every water where anglers can complete the Cutt-Slam and anglers are welcome to reach out to local biologists for more information and direction.

Species Drainage Contact
Bonneville Cutthroat Smith Fork, Thomas Fork, Salt Creek Pinedale Regional Office: 307-367-4353
Bonneville Cutthroat Upper Bear River Green River Regional Office: 307-875-3223
Colorado River Cutthroat Cottonwood, Horse, Piney, LaBarge and upper Green River Pinedale Regional Office: 307-367-4353
Colorado River Cutthroat Hams Fork, Blacks Fork, Smiths Fork, Little Snake River Green River Regional Office: 307-875-3223
Snake River Cutthroat Hoback, Salt, Greys, Gros Ventre, Snake River Jackson Regional Office: 307-733-2321
Yellowstone Cutthroat Upper Yellowstone, Clarks Fork, Shoshone, Greybull, Wood River Cody Regional Office: 307-527-7125
Yellowstone Cutthroat Popo Agie, East Fork Wind, Upper Wind River Lander Regional Office: 307-332-2688
Yellowstone Cutthroat Little Tongue, Little Bighorn Sheridan Regional Office: 307-672-7418

Ron Remmick

The Father of the Cutt-Slam

Passionate advocate for cutthroat trout

Ron Remmick was a fisheries biologist for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department from 1978 to 2002 when his service was cut short by cancer.

Ron was one of the kindest, hardest working and most passionate advocates for cutthroat trout Wyoming has ever seen. Recognized by Trout Unlimited and others for his vision and leadership towards cutthroat trout conservation, Ron was a pioneer who laid the groundwork for today’s resource stewards.

Among Ron’s lasting legacies is the Cutt-Slam, a 1996 brainchild he developed to “encourage anglers to learn about Wyoming’s cutthroat trout…and develop an appreciation for the habitat needs and management programs necessary to maintain these species”.

Ron Remmick photo

BONNEVILLE

Of the cutthroat in the Cutt-Slam, Bonneville or (Bear River) Cutthroat have the smallest range in Wyoming.

Drainage boundary color

Species Description: The Bonneville Cutthroat is typically dark olive to brown on the dorsal (back) side with yellow to cream and grey on the lateral (sides) surface. Spotting in all cutthroat is variable among populations and individuals. That said, a “typical” Bonneville Cutthroat would have dark black spots (often more uniformly distributed across the body than with other cutthroat) with less concentration of spotting toward the tail than with other cutthroat in the Cutt-Slam.

Species History: Bonneville Cutthroat Trout were historically found in the Bonneville Basin, including suitable habitat within portions of Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Nevada. Scientists once believed that pure strains of Bonneville Cutthroat were extinct. However, with the rediscovery of native populations and considerable restoration efforts by fisheries professional, today nearly 70,000 acres of lakes and 850 miles of streams are home to Bonneville Cutthroat Trout. In Wyoming, Bonneville Cutthroat Trout can be found in the Bear River drainage (near Evanston), and the Smiths and Thomas Forks of the Bear (near Cokeville).

Where to Catch: The Bonneville Cutthroat will take Cutt-Slam anglers to extreme southwest Wyoming. Good options for catching Bonneville Cutthroat are the Smiths Fork (on the Bridger-Teton National Forest) and Salt Creek (along US 89 between the Idaho Line and Salt River Pass).

COLORADO RIVER

Often the most colorful cutthroat anglers encounter during the Cutt-Slam but generally not the largest.

Drainage boundary color

Species Description: The Colorado River Cutthroat is typically olive green to brown on the dorsal (back) side with golden yellow to orange and red on the lateral (sides) surface. Spotting in all cutthroat is variable among populations and individuals. That said, a “typical” Colorado River Cutthroat would have dark black spots (often larger than with other cutthroat) with the largest spots concentrated toward the tail.

Species History: Colorado River Cutthroat historically occupied most cool water habitats of the Colorado River watersheds in Colorado, southern Wyoming, eastern Utah, extreme northwestern New Mexico and northeastern Arizona. Today they are found in less than 20% of their historic habitat and mostly in isolated streams at river headwaters. In Wyoming, Colorado River Cutthroat Trout can be found in the Little Snake River drainage (near Baggs), the north slope of the Uinta Mountains along the Utah border (near Mountainview) and in the upper Green River drainage (near Big Piney).

Where to Catch: The Colorado River Cutthroat may be the most challenging cutthroat in the Cutt-Slam due to the remote mostly small streams where it can still be found. Good options for catching Colorado River Cutthroat are LaBarge Creek (upstream from the USFS boundary), North Piney Lake and Gilbert Creek (south of Mountainview).

SNAKE RIVER

Of the cutthroat in the Cutt-Slam, Snake River Cutthroat are the most unique to Wyoming. A close relative to Yellowstone Cutthroat, the fine-spotted Snake River Cutthroat are only native to the Snake River basin upstream of Palisades Reservoir.

Drainage boundary color

Species Description: The Snake River Cutthroat trout is typically dark olive to brown on the dorsal (back) side with yellowish brown to silver or brassy bronze on the lateral (sides) surface. Spotting in all cutthroat (including the Snake River Cutthroat) is variable among populations and individuals. That said, a “typical” Snake River Cutthroat would have numerous small, relatively evenly sized dark black spots covering the entire body except the belly.

Species History: Snake River Cutthroat continue to occupy most of their historic range in the Snake River (above Palisades) and its major tributaries including the Gros Ventre, Hoback, Greys and Salt rivers. Snake River Cutthroat with variable-sized spotting patterns are found in the Snake River drainage. All cutthroat from the drainage will be counted toward the Snake River Cutthroat component of the Cutt-Slam.

Where to Catch: Pursuit of the Snake River Cutthroat will take Cutt-Slam anglers near some of the most famous landscapes in Wyoming. However, anglers that look beyond the Tetons to places like the Salt or Greys rivers for their Snake River Cutthroat will be rewarded with equally beautiful scenery with far fewer anglers to contend with.

YELLOWSTONE

Found in northwest Wyoming including much of Yellowstone National Park.

Drainage boundary color

Species Description: The Yellowstone Cutthroat is typically olive green to brown on the dorsal (back) side with yellowish brown to silver on the lateral (sides) surface. Spotting in all cutthroat is variable among populations and individuals. That said, a “typical” Yellowstone Cutthroat would have dark black spots with spots concentrated toward the tail and few if any spots on the head.

Species History: The historical range of the Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout was upstream of Shoshone Falls (southwestern Idaho) on the Snake River and tributaries. It also existed across the Continental Divide in Yellowstone Lake and in the Yellowstone River, and its tributaries downstream to the Tongue River. Today they occupy somewhere around 40% of their historic habitat with several large robust populations. In Wyoming, Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout can be found in a few small streams in the Bighorn Mountains (near Sheridan), the Absaroka Mountains between Cody and Dubois and throughout most of Yellowstone National Park.

Where to Catch: Yellowstone Cutthroat can be caught in very small streams, large rivers, reservoirs, high mountain lakes and every type of water in between. Good options for catching Yellowstone Cutthroat are the Greybull and Wood Rivers (near Meeteetsee) and the East Fork of the Wind River (near Dubois).

Angler - Adam Herrera
Species: Bonneville | Location: Salt Creek
Angler - Adam Herrera
Species: Colorado | Location: Gilbert Creek
Angler - Adam Herrera
Species: Snake River | Location: Greys River
Angler - Adam Herrera
Species: Yellowstone | Location: Popo Agie
Angler - Anthony Aiello
Species: Colorado River | Location: Upper Smith Fork
Angler - Anthony Aiello
Species: Snake River | Location: South Cottonwood Creek
Angler - Anthony Aiello
Species: Yellowstone | Location: Bear Creek
Angler - Anthony Jenca
Species: Bonneville | Location: Smiths Fork
Angler - Anthony Jenca
Species: Colorado | Location: N. Cottonwood Creek
Angler - Anthony Jenca
Species: Snake River | Location: Spread Creek
Angler - Anthony Jenca
Species: Yellowstone | Location: Leidy Creek
Angler - Bob Bishop
Species: Bonneville | Location: Smiths Fork
Angler - Bob Bishop
Species: Colorado | Location: Cottonwood Creek
Angler - Bob Bishop
Species: Snake River | Location: Greys River
Angler - Bob Bishop
Species: Yellowstone | Location: Soda Butte Creek
Angler - Bob Howard
Species: Bonneville | Location: Smiths Fork
Angler - Bob Howard
Species: Colorado | Location: LaBarge Creek
Angler - Bob Howard
Species: Snake River | Location: Salt River
Angler - Bob Howard
Species: Yellowstone | Location: Lamar River
Angler - Brent Notman
Species: Bonneville
Angler - Brent Notman
Species: Snake River
Angler - Brent Notman
Species: Yellowstone
Angler - Brooke Harris
Species: Bonneville | Location: Smiths Fork
Angler - Brooke Harris
Species: Colorado | Location: LaBarge River
Angler - Brooke Harris
Species: Snake River | Location: Hoback River
Angler - Brooke Harris
Species: Yellowstone | Location: Pelham Lake
Angler - Caleb Goodspeed
Species: Bonneville
Angler - Caleb Goodspeed
Species: Colorado River
Angler - Caleb Goodspeed
Species: Snake River
Angler - Caleb Goodspeed
Species: Yellowstone
Angler - Carter Rogers
Species: Bonneville
Angler - Carter Rogers
Species: Colorado River
Angler - Carter Rogers
Species: Snake River
Angler - Carter Rogers
Species: Yellowstone
Angler - Doug Wright
Species: Bonneville
Angler - Doug Wright
Species: Colorado River
Angler - Doug Wright
Species: Snake River
Angler - Doug Wright
Species: Yellowstone
Angler - Douglas Garret
Species: Bonneville | Location: Smiths Fork
Angler - Douglas Garret
Species: Colorado | Location: LaBarge Creek
Angler - Douglas Garrett
Species: Snake River | Location: Greys River
Angler - Douglas Garrett
Species: Yellowstone | Location: Pelham Lake
Angler - Greg Hall
Species: Bonneville
Angler - Greg Hall
Species: Colorado River
Angler - Greg Hall
Species: Snake River
Angler - Greg Hall
Species: Yellowstone
Angler - Jason Rogers
Species: Bonneville
Angler - Jason Rogers
Species: Snake River
Angler - Jason Rogers
Species: Yellowstone
Angler - Joe Karkos
Species: Bonneville | Location: Smiths Fork
Angler - Joe Karkos
Species: Yellowstone | Location: Greys River
Angler - Joe Karkos
Species: Snake River | Location: Greys River
Angler - Joe Karkos
Species: Colorado River | Location: LaBarge Creek
Angler - Jonathan King
Species: Bonneville | Location: Salt Creek
Angler - Jonathan King
Species: Colorado River | Location: LaBarge Creek
Angler - Jonathan King
Species: Snake River | Location: Greys River
Angler - Jonathan King
Species: Yellowstone | Location: East Fork Wind River
Angler - Matthew Hughes
Species: Bonneville | Location: Salt Creek
Angler - Matthew Hughes
Species: Colorado | Location: N. Cottonwood Creek
Angler - Matthew Hughes
Species: Snake River | Location: Snake River
Angler - Matthew Hughes
Species: Yellowstone | Location: Rose Creek
Angler - Merrill Lynch
Species: Bonneville | Location: Salt Creek
Angler - Merrill Lynch
Species: Colorado | Location: LaBarge Creek
Angler - Merrill Lynch
Species: Snake River | Location: Greys River
Angler - Merrill Lynch
Species: Yellowstone | Location: Greybull River
Angler - Sam Childress
Species: Colorado River | Location: LaBarge Creek
Angler - Sam Childress
Species: Snake River | Location: Flat Creek
Angler - Sam Childress
Species: Yellowstone | Location: East Fork Wind River
Angler - Same Childress
Species: Bonneville | Location: Salt Creek
Angler - Sara Bishop
Species: Snake River | Location: Little Greys River
Angler - Sara Bishop
Species: Yellowstone | Location: Pebble Creek
Angler - Sara Bishop
Species: Colorado River | Location: North Cottonwood Creek
Angler - Sara Bishop
Species: Bonneville | Location: Salt Creek
Angler - Terry Adams
Species: Bonneville | Location: Smiths Fork
Angler - Terry Adams
Species: Colorado | Location: LaBarge Creek
Angler - Terry Adams
Species: Snake River | Location: Greys River
Angler - Terry Adams
Species: Yellowstone | Location: Pelham Lake
Angler - Todd Miller
Species: Bonneville
Angler - Todd Miller
Species: Colorado River
Angler - Todd Miller
Species: Snake River
Angler - Tristan Harner
Species: Bonneville | Location: Smith Fork
Angler - Tristan Harner
Species: Colorado | Location: LaBarge Creek
Angler - Tristan Harner
Species: Snake River | Location: Greys River
Angler - Tristan Harner
Species: Yellowstone | Location: Pebble Creek