Cutthroat trout are found in cold water shallows, rivers and mountain streams through the Pacific Northwest from northern California east to the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Fly fishing is the preferred method for catching Cutthroats.
- Species and Identification
- Range and Habitat
- The Best Cutthroat Fishing Spots
- How to Catch Cutthroat
- Best Lures, Bait & Tackle
Cutthroat Trout Species and Identification
Cutthroat trout vary in color and size. They get their name from the distinctive yellow, orange, or red streak that lies in the skin folds just under their lower jaws. The cutthroat’s body varies in color from olive to yellow green. Those that live in the sea have more of a blue/silver coloring. In some cutthroats, the forward body and abdomen is red.
There are several subspecies of cutthroat trout. The most common cutthroats include the Bonneville, Bear River, Colorado, Yellowstone, Westslope, Lahontan, Coastal, Greenback, Rio Grande, and Paiute.
Bonneville Cutthroat Trout
The Bonneville cutthroat trout has distinct evenly distributed spots that cover the upper portion of its body. Coloration is dull compared to other cutthroat species. They range in color from silver-gray to charcoal, while the upper body may display hues of pink across the flanks during spawning season.
Bonneville cutthroats typically have a vibrant bright crimson band across the jaw, which may be a more yellowish hue in certain specimens. Coloration and distribution of spots on the Bonneville cutthroats will often vary by region.
Bear River Cutthroat Trout
The Bear River cutthroat trout has spots that are typically irregular in shape and larger than those found on Yellowstone cutthroats. Spots may cover the entire body but are often concentrated toward the posterior end of the fish.
Bear River cutthroats that inhabit Bear Lake typically have larger, more irregular shaped spots that are sparser.
The Bear River cutthroat is similar in color to its close cousin the Yellowstone Cutthroat, but coloration is a bit more subdued. Colors ranges from a brownish-olive to blue (on adfluvial fish). Adfluvial cutthroats are characterized by a bluish or silver color along the sides and prominent blue color along the back.
Some variations of Bear River cutthroat may display a reddish hue along the lateral line extending across the gill plates. Some exhibit a brilliant light-orange underside. The lower fins range in color from bright orange to rose.
As with other species of cutthroats, Bear River cutthroat often exhibit a red or orange slash beneath the lower jaw.
Colorado River Cutthroat Trout
Colorado River cutthroat are distinct in appearance from other cutthroat subspecies in that they often exhibit vibrant orange and red coloration along their sides. These colors become even more pronounced prior to spawn.
The spots on Colorado River cutthroat tends to be smaller and exhibit a more “paint-splatter” look than the spots found on other subspecies. However, these spots usually grow larger and more concentrated toward the posterior end of the fish.
Fins typically match the body color and lack the white tips found on other fish.
Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout
The Yellowstone cutthroat trout has distinct rounded spots that are concentrated on the posterior body. These spots are typically larger than those found on other subspecies.
Coloration varies from yellow-brown to gold to hues of copper. Coloration is highly variable. Yellowstone cutthroat are typically duller in coloration compared to Westslope cutthroat.
Yellowstone Cutthroat range in length from 6 to 20 inches and can weight up to 2 pounds at maturity. The size of an adult fish is typically a function the body of the water where it is found.
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
Westslope cutthroat are characterized by sparse large spots along the lateral line extending towards the head, with smaller, more concentrated spots along the posterior to tail.
Westslope cutthroat coloration ranges from green to a silver gray. In some specimens, a red slash is visible on each side of the lower jaw. They are typically between 8 and 16 inches and weigh up to 1.5 pounds.
A distinguishing feature of the Westslope cutthroat are teeth found under the tongue as well as the roof of the mouth.
Lahontan Cutthroat Trout
The Lahontan cutthroat is the largest subspecies of cutthroat trout. An adult Lahontan cutthroat can grow up to 48 inches and weight up to 40 pounds. The largest record Lahontan cutthroat on record weighed in at 41 pounds.
Spots are sparse along the sides and back, and much more numerous long the posterior and on to tail.
Coloration ranges from dark olive along the back to yellowish to reddish sides. Lake dwelling Lahontan cutthroat are often silvery along the sides.
Riverine Lahontan cutthroat typically exhibit a light rosy-pink band along the lateral line, heavy spotting, and vibrant coloring. They are smaller than lake-dwelling species of Lahontan cutthroat.
Coastal Cutthroat Trout
There are four variations of the coastal cutthroat trout. The most well known is the semi-anadromous (aka sea-run) that is found in stream and lake environments near the coast. Adults migrate from the ocean to spawn in fresh water streams and habitats. Juveniles migrate to the sea where they feed and grow.
Freshwater coastal cutthroat range in color from dark green to greenish-blue along the sides or even silver. They have irregular spots on their fins and numerous spots along their flank below the lateral line.
They often display red, pink, or orange colorations along the underside of their jaw and lower gill plates.
Greenback Cutthroat Trout
Greenback cutthroat trout have dark, moderately sized circular spots along their sides running to the tail with two vibrant orangish red strips along each side of their jaw, characteristic of “cutthroat” trout. Gill plates are an orange to red color.
These fish typically have an olive-bronze coloration, which may be subdued to bright bronze. They typically exhibit pink or reddish blotches separated by parr marks running along the sides of the anterior section of their body sometimes reach to the caudal fin.
The belly of the Greenback cutthroat is generally paler tone than the rest of the body. During the spring spawn, the entire underbelly of Greenback cutthroat trout may turn a bright crimson red to match their throat.
Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout
Rio Grande cutthroat trout have larger spots that are concentrated behind the dorsal fin on the back all the way to the tail. They have smaller less numerous spots scattered across the anterior part of their body.
Coloration is typically pinkish rose to golden yellow along the sides and a pink to orange color on the underbelly. Moving up toward the back coloration turns to a greenish hue. Rio Grande cutthroat are sometimes brilliantly colored, although a more subdued coloration tends to be more common.
There is almost always an orange to red colored slash along the under jaw identifying this fish as a subspecies of “cutthroat” trout.
Paiute Cutthroat Trout
Compared to other cutthroat trout species, Paiute Cutthroat have very few spots. In fact, some specimens many not have any spots at all.
Like other cutthroat species, Paiute Cutthroat have the characteristic reddish orange slash under their jaw. They also have parr marks along their sides that remain into adulthood.
Paiute Cutthroat trout rarely reach more than 10 inches in length due to the low productivity, high elevation streams they inhabit.
Cutthroat Trout Range and Habitat
Coastal cutthroat trout can be found from Alaska’s Prince William Sound down to California’s Eel River. Non-anadromous inland cutthroat species can be found as far north as Alberta, Canada and in larger concentrations throughout the Rocky Mountains.
While cutthroat are generally found in appropriate habitat throughout their range, if you really want to have success catching this fish, you need to research specific locations and plan ahead.
The following are habitats where you can catch Cutthroat Trout:
- Current Edges
- Dams and Falls
- Drop-offs
- Eddies
- Outside of Bends
- Overhanging Trees and Bushes
- Riparian Zones
- Rivers and Streams
- Rock and Boulder Pockets
- Small Pointed Waves
- Undercut Banks
Best Fishing Spots for Cutthroat
Hands down some of the best fishing for cutthroat trout is found in the high mountain streams and rivers of the Rocky Mountains in the states of Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico.
Utah Cutthroat Trout Fishing
Cutthroat trout are a big attraction to fly fisherman and anglers alike in Utah. The Bonneville Cuttroat trout is Utah’s state fish. You’ll find good fishing opportunities for Bonneville cutthroat as well as Bear River, Yellowstone and Colorado Cutthroat throught Utah.
The following map shows the top locations for cutthroat trout fishing in Utah.
The following chart lists the Utah streams and rivers with most consistent populations of cutthroat trout.
| River | Species |
|---|---|
| Weber River from confluence with Ogden River upstream to Echo Dam and its tributaries from Oakley to the headwaters. | Bonneville cutthroat Bear River cutthroat |
| Beaver Creek upstream from the city of Kamas | Bonneville cutthroat Bear River cutthroat |
| South Fork of the Odgen River including Wheeler Creek and Wolf Creek. | Bonneville cutthroat Bear River cutthroat |
| Salina Creek upstream from Interstate 70 | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Manning Creek (Monroe Mtns) | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Clear Creek and tributaries | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Mammoth Creek upstream from the city of Mammoth Spring | Bonneville cutthroat |
| East Fork Sevier River (Black Canyon) | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Sevier River (Upper section) | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Asay Creek near the cith of Hatch | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Southern Utah Lakes (Manning Meadow Reservoir, Pine Lake, Barney Lake, Upper Enterprise Reservoir, Yankee Meadow Reservoir, and all three Kent’s Lakes on Beaver Mountain. | Bonneville cutthroat |
| American Fork River Drainage (Silver Lake Flat Reservoir, Mary Ellen Gulch, North Fork of American Fork Canyon) | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Spanish Fork River tributaries (Upper Diamond Fork River, Shingle Mill Creek, Chase Creek, Halls Fork Creek) | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Sixth Water Creek (Diamond Fork tributary) | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Clear Creek (Right Fork) | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Starvation Creek | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Nebo Creek, Holman Creek and Bennie Creek (Spanish Fork River tributaries) | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Left Fork and Right Fork of Hobble Creek and Wadsworth Creek | Bonneville cutthroat (but mostly brown trout) |
| Salt Creek up the Nebo Loop | Bonneville cutthroat (but mostly brown trout) |
| Provo River Drainage (Buck Hollow and Benches Creek) | Bonneville cutthroat (high probability) |
| Mill Creek (from mouth of canyon to headwaters) | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Parley's Canyon Creek | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Mountain Dell Creek (catch and release - flys and lures only) | Bonneville cutthroat (and brook trout) |
| Lambs Canyon Creek | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Little Dell Reservoir | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Lower Bells Reservoir | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Big Cottonwood Canyon Creek (Cardiff Flat) area | Bonneville cutthroat (but mostly brown trout) |
| Wasatch Front High Mountain Lakes (White Pine Lake, Red Pine Lake and Upper Red Pine Lake) | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Upper Bells Reservoir | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Twin Lake (Big Cottonwood Canyon) | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Deep Creek Mountain Streams (Trout Creek, Birch and North Fork of Birch Creek, Granite Creek, Red Cedar Creek, Tom’s Creek, Indian Farms Creek and Basin Creek) | Bonneville cutthroat |
| Upper Bear River (East Fork, Stillwater Fork, West Fork, Hayden Fork, and Mill Creek) | Bear River cutthroat |
| Woodruff Creek Reservoir | Bear River cutthroat |
| Big Creek | Bear River cutthroat |
| Otter Creek (all three headwater forks) | Bear River cutthroat |
| Bear Lake | Bear River cutthroat |
| Logan River (upstream from 3rd dam) | Bear River cutthroat |
| Blacksmith Fork River (most concentrated in Left Hand Fork, Curtis Creek and Rock Creek) | Bear River cutthroat |
| Johnson Creek (fish upstream from USFS boundary) | Yellowstone cutthroat |
| Onemile Creek (up Sawmill Canyon) | Yellowstone cutthroat |
| George Creek (headwaters below Cabin Spring) | Yellowstone cutthroat |
| North Slope of the Uinta Mountains (East Fork of Blacks Fork, Little East Fork of Blacks Fork, West Fork of the Smiths Fork, Gilbert Creek, Henrys Fork, Burnt Fork, North and Middle Forks of Sheep Creek) | Colorado River cutthroat |
| South Slope of the Uintas Mountains (Whiterocks River, Reader Creek, Lynn Creek, Hells Canyon Creek, Crater Lake, Rock Creek, South Fork of Rock Creek, West Fork of the Duchesne River, South Brownie Creek, East Fork Whiterocks River, Uinta River, Yellowstone River, Lake Fork River, Currant Creek, Red Creek Reservoir) | Colorado River cutthroat |
| North Tavaputs Plateau (Willow Creek, Timber Canyon, West Willow Creek, Strawberry River, West Fork Avintaquin Creek, Meadow Creek) | Colorado River cutthroat |
| Southeastern Utah (White River, Ferron Reservoir, Ferron Creek, Duck Fork Reservoir, Millsite Reservoir, Range Creek) | Colorado River cutthroat |
| Fremont River (UM Creek and Pine Creek - south of Bicknell) | Colorado River cutthroat |
| Escalante River (East and West Forks of Boulder Creek, Pine Creek, Twitchell Creek, White Creek) | Colorado River cutthroat |
| Southern Utah Lakes (Boulder Mountain Lakes, Dougherty Basin Lake, Round Willow Bottom Reservoir, Long Willow Bottom Reservoir, Pine Creek Reservoir, Crescent Lake, Solitaire Lake, Short Lake) | Colorado River cutthroat |
Idaho Cutthroat Trout Fishing
Idaho is home to three native species of cutthroat trout including Westslope, Yellowstone and the lesser known Green River Fine Spotted cutthroat.
The most reliable fishing for Westslope cutthroat in Idaho is found in the Lochsa River and its tributaries from Lowell, Idaho east to Lolo Pass, Montana, as well as the Selway River system. Anglers also report consistent cutthroat success in the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, its tributaries, as well as many of the North Idaho Rivers, including St. Joe, the North Fork of the Clearwater rivers, and Kelley Creek.
If native Yellowstone cutthroat are on the agenda, you’ll want to focus fishing on the streams and lakes located east of Pocatello and Idaho Falls in the Southeastern region of Idaho. The more productive cutthroat fisheries include Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, Falls River, the South Fork of the Snake River and its tributaries, upper Blackfoot River and its tributaries, the Teton River system, and the Portneuf River.
The Snake River Fine Spotted cutthroat trout is not recognized as a separate species from the Yellowstone cutthroat by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, but it is classified as a separate species by the Wyoming Department of Game and Fish. Markings and spotting on the Snake River Fine Spotted cutthroat do vary from those of the Yellowstone cutthroat.
While far less common than the Westslope or Yellowstone cutthroat, native Snake River Fine Spotted cutthroat can be found in significant numbers along the Snake River drainage with greatest concentration around Palisades Reservoir.
Montana Cutthroat Trout
There are two species of cutthroat trout native to Montana, the Westslope and Yellowstone. If you’re chasing Westslope cutthroat, your best chance at hooking one is going to be in Montana’s upper Flathead and Blackfoot River systems and tributaries. Flathead River, Blackfoot River, Rock Creek, and Yellowstone River are top fly fishing destinations for Westslope cutthroat trout.
As its name suggests, the native Yellowstone cutthroat is found within the Yellowstone River drainage in south-central and southwest Montana. In the past, pure Yellowstone cutthroat trout could be found as far downstream as the Tongue River, but today native, unhybrized cutthroat populations are only found within Yellowstone National Park and a few headwater streams.
Colorado Cutthroat Trout
Colorado is home to the Rio Grande, Colorado River, and Greenback cutthroat trout species. The Greenback cutthroat is the Colorado state fish and is catch and release only.
Greenback cutthroat are common in the North Fork Thompson River as well as numerous lakes throughout Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. Within San Isabel National Forest, Lake Fork Creek, along with several lakes, have healthy populations of Greenback. Roosevelt National Forest’s Sheep Creek and Zimmerman Reservoir, and Cornelius, George, and Bard Creeks within Arapaho National Forest are other top destinations for Greenback cutthroat.
The Colorado River species of cutthroat trout is found throughout many Colorado’s high elevation streams and lakes. If Colorado River cutthroat is your target, you won’t find better fishing than the Holy Cross, Eagle’s Nest and Flattops Wilderness areas—with Trapper’s Lake at the top of every cuttie angler’s bucket list.
The Rio Grande, Pecos River, and Canadian drainages in the southern-most region of the state bordering New Mexico hold Colorado’s third species of cutthroat, the Rio Grande.
How to Catch Cutthroat Trout
Cutthroat trout fishing is popular among anglers who enjoy fly fishing. When fishing for cutthroats, most anglers opt for flies that mimic the fish’s normal prey, especially in areas where there has been a recent insect hatch. This is known as “matching the hatch.” They can also be caught using spinning tackle or rooster tails.
When targeting inland riverine cutthroat, a dry dropper setup with a dry fly on top followed by a nymph on the bottom is an effective setup. But fishing a simple dry fly, terrestrial, hopper or ant pattern will catch cutthroat. Fishing a traditional nymphing rig subsurface is another popular technique.
Fishing a earthworm on a worm hook a foot or two below a split shot will also get hookups. Just cast into the deep holes and let it sit. Fishing a worm on a hook is really effective for targeting lake cutthroats. Fly fishing on a lake will yield some catches, but most anglers target inland cutthroat in lakes using spinning gear and variety of lures, including small spoons and spinners.
If you plan on fishing for coastal cutthroat trout, you’ll have best success during the spring and fall. During the summer months of July and August coastal cutthroat move offshore to deeper, cooler water and catch rates tend to be lower. Popular techniques for catching coastal cutthroat are stillfishing and trolling.
Cutthroat are predatory fish and like to ambush their prey. Target the cover behind log jams, bank undercuts, and other structure where cutthroat lie in wait for a meal. You’ll also find cutthroat in deep pools with slow current.
The following are effective fishing methods and techniques for catching Cutthroat Trout:
Best Lures, Bait & Tackle to catch Cutthroat Trout
Inland cutthroat trout will take a variety of flies and lures. When fly fishing, the best approach is to match your fly to whichever insects have recently hatched in the area. The following are just a few of the more popular flies for targeting inland cutthroats include:
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Bionic Ant
- Chubby Chernobyl
- San Juan Worm
- Royal Wulff
- Hare’ Ear
- Prince Nymph
Lures can be effective for targeting inland, lake bound cutthroat populations. Two of the most popular lures for targeting inland cutthroat include small spoons and spinners.
Coastal cutthroat can be caught using a large variety of artificial lures and flies, as well bait (salmon eggs, crawdad tails, night crawler, etc). Spinners (#2-#3) and spoons (1/8-1/4oz) are your go-to artificial lures when fishing for coastal cutthroat.
As with inland riverine cutthroat, coastal cutthroat can also be fished using popular dry fly, nymph, and streamer patterns. Nymphing is fun and effective. A pheasant tail, hare’s ear, prince nymph, or woolly bugger in sizes 12 to 14 are a few of the more effective flies.
The following are fishing lures, bait and tackle that can be used to catch Cutthroat Trout:
