Freshwater

Cutthroat trout

Trucha degollada (cutthroat)

Oncorhynchus clarkii

FreshwaterBrackishSaltwater

At a glance

Typical size

10–18 in.

Depth

1–15 ft in rivers.

Best time

Morning, evening and during hatches.

Found in

8 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Trout with a bright red or orange slash under each side of the lower jaw, black spots (often more toward the tail), and no white edges on the fins. Colors vary a lot between the many subspecies.
Typical size: 10–18 in.
Maximum size: Lahontan cutthroat once reached about 40 lb; most others top out at 5–10 lb.
Diet: Insects, small fish, crustaceans and leeches.
Behavior: Rises readily to dry flies; coastal cutthroat run between rivers and saltwater estuaries.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Rocky Mountain Trout Rivers, Pacific Northwest Rivers & Lakes, Oregon & Washington, British Columbia, Alaska, Canadian Prairies, Central & Northern California and Southwest & California Lakes. Cold rivers and lakes of the Rocky Mountains and Great Basin (Yellowstone, Snake River, Pyramid Lake) and coastal streams and estuaries from northern California to Alaska.
Habitat: Cold rivers and lakes of the Rocky Mountains and Great Basin (Yellowstone, Snake River, Pyramid Lake) and coastal streams and estuaries from northern California to Alaska.
Depth: 1–15 ft in rivers.
Fishing depth: Riffles, runs and pool tails.
Best season: Summer and fall; many waters open in late spring after the spawn.
Best time: Morning, evening and during hatches.
Best tides: No tide — in rivers, falling water after the rainy season is best.
Best weather / conditions: Overcast days bring better hatches.

What to tie on and what to throw.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

As an Amazon Associate, BigJoe earns from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra and helps keep this guide free.

Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Cold rivers and lakes of the Rocky Mountains and Great Basin (Yellowstone, Snake River, Pyramid Lake) and coastal streams and estuaries from northern California to Alaska.
Rig up: 9 ft 4–6 weight fly rod or light spinning rod. 4X–5X tippet.
Pick your bait: Worms and salmon eggs where bait is allowed. Lures: Small spinners and spoons.
Fish it: Drift dry flies, hoppers or nymphs through riffles and current seams; cutthroat often take on a slow, deliberate rise.
Time it: Morning, evening and during hatches. No tide — in rivers, falling water after the rainy season is best.

Fishing techniques: Drift dry flies, hoppers or nymphs through riffles and current seams; cutthroat often take on a slow, deliberate rise.
BigJoe's tip: Wait a beat before setting the hook — cutthroat rise slowly.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Pink, mild meat where harvest is allowed; most anglers release wild cutthroat.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Bears in much of its range — carry bear spray. Cold, fast rivers.
Regulations: Many waters are catch-and-release or single-hook for cutthroat, and some subspecies are federally threatened; check local rules. In Alaska, rules are set by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (adfg.alaska.gov); in Canada, by each province and territory. Many trout and char waters are single-hook, artificial-lure or catch-and-release only — check before you go.
Conservation: Mixing with rainbow trout and competition from introduced trout threaten many populations.

Tap an area to open its fishing map.

Sources & photo credits