Bonneville Cutthroat Trout
Oncorhynchus clarkii
Like other cutthroat, the major key to identifying a Bonneville cutthroat is the red slash under the jaw.
A Bonneville cutthroat can be differentiated from other cutthroat by the duller coloration and uniform large, round spotting that is more concentrated towards the tail of the fish. Bonneville Cutthroat Trout are sometimes also called Bear River Cutthroat Trout.
Bonneville Cutthroat Overview
Native or nonnative?
Native
Wyoming classification
Game fish
Lifespan
Typically 4 to 6 years in the wild, potentially reaching 10+ years
Diet
Zooplankton, freshwater shrimp, terrestrial and aquatic insects. Larger cutthroat trout will also eat other fishes and crayfish
Length
10 to 25 inches in length, growing up to 30+ in the ideal conditions (can grow larger under ideal conditions)
Weight
2 to 6 pounds on average, but over 10 pounds in the ideal conditions (can grow larger under ideal conditions)
Conservation Management Efforts
Game and Fish conservation efforts focus on restoring habitat, protecting spawning grounds, and removing non-native species to help preserve this unique subspecies and contribute to their ongoing success. Stocking these fish contribute to larger populations for natural reproduction.
Population Status
Due to habitat loss and the introduction of non-native species, the Bonneville cutthroat trout has seen a significant decline in numbers. While not officially listed as "endangered," it is considered a species of concern and has been the focus of various conservation efforts in Wyoming and surrounding states.
Species History
Bonneville cutthroat were historically found in the Bonneville Basin, including suitable habitat within portions of Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Nevada. Scientists once believed pure strains of Bonneville cutthroat were extinct. However, with the rediscovery of native populations and considerable restoration efforts by fisheries professional, nearly 70,000 acres of lakes and 850 miles of streams are home to Bonneville cutthroat today. In Wyoming, Bonneville cutthroat can be found in the Bear River drainage near Evanston and the Smiths and Thomas Forks of the Bear River near Cokeville.
However, each of these subspecies is stocked around the state in areas outside their native ranges, and does not count for a "Cutt-slam."
Reproduction
Like all native cutthroat trout in Wyoming, Bonneville cutthroat trout are spring spawners that can spawn year after year. Females will create gravel nests called "redds", where they will lay their eggs, and males will swim over top to fertilize them. The number of eggs per female depends greatly on size and age, however, each female will lay roughly 2,000 eggs.