May 2021 - 32

CUTTHROAT
CONUNDRUM
There are four native cutthroat trout subspecies found
in Wyoming. Yellowstone, Colorado River, Bonneville and
Snake River cutthroat trout can all be found in the native
ranges within the state. Can you identify each one?
Some may be easier than others. One characteristic all
have is a red or orange slash under the lower jaw.
The Yellowstone cutthroat has medium-sized spots that
are prominent, rounded and often concentrated toward
the caudal fin or tail.
The body of the Colorado River cutthroat is often bright,
golden yellow with a brassy-green back. Large spots are
distributed evenly on the body, and the belly may be red
or orange in color.
Spots on the Bonneville cutthroat are typically large,
round and sparsely scattered. The spots on this cutt are
often more evenly distributed than with the other subspecies in Wyoming.
The Snake River cutthroat has fine spotting on its body,
which is why this fish is sometimes called the fine spotted
cutthroat. They are typically dark olive to brown on the
back with yellowish brown to silver or brassy bronze on
the sides.
Test your knowledge of the state's cutthroat trout, along
with a bonus question at the end.

A

(WGFD photo)

B

(WGFD photo)

C

(WGFD photo)
ANSWER KEY: A. Snake River cutthroat have abundant spots covering the entire
body. B. Yellowstone cutthroat prefer clear, cool streams and rivers, but also found
in ponds and lakes. C. Bonneville cutthroat are distinguished from rainbow trout
by the lack of white tips on fins. D. Colorado River cutthroat have an orange tint
along its belly. E. Westslope cutthroat

(WGFD photo)

D

Helpful fishing links
*	 2021 Wyoming fishing regulations: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/
getmedia/fa843170-c388-4a72-a6fcd2e4c0392580/2021_Fishing_Reg_Booklet_Final_for_Print
*	 Wyoming interactive fishing guide;
where to go and what you might
catch: https://wgfd.maps.arcgis.com/
apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=61d1fb66ead443e2af51aa2ada1f1eaa
*	 How to identify fish in Wyoming:
https://wgfapps.wyo.gov/fishexam/
default.aspx
*	 Fish identification quiz: https://
32 | May 2021	

wgfapps.wyo.gov/fishexam/frmExamQuestion1.aspx
*	 Go catch Wyoming's four cutthroat
trout subspecies and receive some
cool swag for your efforts: https://
wgfd.wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating/
Cutt-Slam
*	 Other fishing challenges offered
by the Wyoming Game and Fish
Department: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/
Fishing-and-Boating/Fishing-Challenges
*	 Wyoming fish stocking reports:
https://wgfapps.wyo.gov/FishStock/
FishStock

E

BONUS QUESTION
There is a fifth subspecies of
cutthroat trout in Wyoming, but is not
managed by the Wyoming Game and
Fish Department. It is only found in
the extreme northwest part of the state
in Yellowstone National Park. Can you
name it?

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/ https://wgfapps.wyo.gov/fishexam/frmExamQuestion1.aspx https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating/Cutt-Slam https://wgfd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=61d1fb66ead443e2af51aa2ada1f1eaa https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Fishing-and-Boating/Fishing-Challenges https://wgfapps.wyo.gov/fishexam/default.aspx https://wgfapps.wyo.gov/FishStock/FishStock https://wgfapps.wyo.gov/fishexam/frmExamQuestion1.aspx

May 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May 2021