Cutthroat Trout
A native western trout named for the red-orange slash marks under its jaw, and the official state fish of Montana, Utah, and Wyoming.
- Scientific name
- Oncorhynchus clarkii
- Family
- Salmonidae
- Adult size
- Typically 8–16 inches in stream populations; larger in lakes.
Identification
Coloring varies by subspecies and water, but the diagnostic red-orange 'cutthroat' slash marks along the underside of the jaw are present in nearly all forms.
Habitat
Cold rivers, streams, and lakes across the Rocky Mountain West; different subspecies (Yellowstone, westslope, Bonneville, and others) occupy different drainages.
Diet
Aquatic and terrestrial insects, and small fish in larger individuals.
Angling
Known for being relatively easy to catch on dry flies, making it a favorite of western fly anglers; many subspecies are managed under catch-and-release rules to protect native populations.
Conservation
Several cutthroat subspecies, including westslope and Bonneville cutthroat, are conservation priorities due to habitat loss and hybridization with introduced rainbow trout.
Where Cutthroat Trout is stocked
When Cutthroat Trout is stocked
Top Cutthroat Trout waters
Strawberry Reservoir
WASATCH County · 4 species · 4147 records
Last stocked June 2026
Cowlitz River
Lewis County · 5 species · 2642 records
Last stocked May 2026
Canyon Ferry Lake
7 species · 2261 records
Last stocked September 2025
Logan River
CACHE County · 5 species · 2246 records
Last stocked July 2026
Weber River
WEBER County · 7 species · 2119 records
Last stocked July 2026
Fish Lake
SEVIER County · 9 species · 1940 records
Last stocked July 2026
Flaming Gorge Reservoir
DAGGETT County · 8 species · 1865 records
Last stocked July 2026
Yellowstone River
16 species · 1781 records
Last stocked October 2010
Deer Creek Reservoir
WASATCH County · 5 species · 1756 records
Last stocked June 2026
Otter Creek Reservoir
PIUTE County · 8 species · 1545 records
Last stocked April 2026
Missouri River
19 species · 1417 records
Last stocked October 2010
Boulder River
5 species · 1385 records
Last stocked July 1983
Lewis River North Fork
Cowlitz County · 4 species · 1360 records
Last stocked June 2026
Madison River
5 species · 1310 records
Last stocked April 2006
Provo River
SUMMIT County · 5 species · 1298 records
Last stocked June 2026
Lake Whatcom
Whatcom County · 4 species · 1226 records
Last stocked May 2026
Bear Lake
RICH County · 4 species · 1219 records
Last stocked May 2026
Big Spring Creek
5 species · 1201 records
Last stocked July 1981
Scofield Reservoir
CARBON County · 6 species · 1181 records
Last stocked July 2026
Flathead Lake
14 species · 1161 records
Last stocked October 1997
Panguitch Lake
GARFIELD County · 8 species · 1109 records
Last stocked May 2026
Blackfoot River
2 species · 1011 records
Last stocked June 1992
Georgetown Lake
5 species · 968 records
Last stocked June 2026
Hebgen Lake
4 species · 944 records
Last stocked June 2023
Frequently asked
Where is Cutthroat Trout stocked?
Cutthroat Trout is stocked in 3,566 waters across 3 states: Montana, Utah, Washington.
When is Cutthroat Trout stocked?
Cutthroat Trout is typically stocked in summer and fall, most often in September, based on records across every state that stocks it.
How many Cutthroat Trout are stocked?
About 3,319,009,090,132,299,000,000,000,000 Cutthroat Trout have been stocked on record since 1924, across Montana, Utah, Washington.
What size Cutthroat Trout are stocked?
Stocked Cutthroat Trout average about 4.8 inches, based on sizes reported by Montana, Utah — not every state reports sizes.
What does a Cutthroat Trout look like?
Coloring varies by subspecies and water, but the diagnostic red-orange 'cutthroat' slash marks along the underside of the jaw are present in nearly all forms.