How To Identify Cutthroat Trout

If you want to be doubly sure they should have small black spots mainly on the top half of their body.

How to identify cutthroat trout. How to identify a Cutthroat Trout. A female doesnt have this red mark. Cutthroats that are year-round residents of small streams may not get any bigger than 8-9 inches but can reward the angler with an aggressive bite and enthusiastic fight.

Length up to 30 inches. Body extending well below lateral line and on all fins. 12032021 The dramatic red behind their lower jaw makes Cutthroat Trout look like theyre constantly bleeding.

05032018 Therefore the real distinguishing difference between a Cutthroat Trout and a Rainbow Trout is that Cutthroat Trout have a set of basibranchial teeth at the base of their tongue and a maxillary that extends beyond the posterior edge of the eye. The profusion of black spots and the red-orange slashes on the jaw help distinguish them from rainbow trout. This is a highly variable fish in coloration and size.

Trout Unlimited has undertaken several movement studies to determine when and where Bear River cutthroat trout move. Notice the red gill plates and red slash under the chin. These studies have helped us identify conservation needs such as removal of barriers blocking spawning runs and to determine if fish successfully access upstream habitat after barriers are removed.

The bright red streak under the gills gives the appearance that the fish has been injured and is bleeding. Faint to no red on sides of spawning fish. How to identify a Cutthroat Trout This is a highly variable fish in coloration and size.

Head blunt jaw long - extends past eye. This recovery strategy - action plan identifies critical habitat for Westslope Cutthroat Trout Alberta populations as all areas currently occupied by naturally-occurring pure-strain populations within the original Westslope Cutthroat Trout distribution including the areas on which Westslope Cutthroat Trout depend indirectly eg. The color of the body ranges from cadmium blue and silvery sea-run to olive-green or yellowish green.