Cutthroat Trout
Oncorhynchus clarkii
Cutthroat trout are identified by orange-red marks beneath the lower jaw and dark spots on a lighter body. Several subspecies occur in western North America, including coastal, westslope and Yellowstone cutthroat. Colour and spotting vary, and subspecies can be difficult to distinguish. They inhabit cold streams and lakes; some coastal populations also migrate to salt water.
Cold streams and lakes of western North America; habitat and migration differ by subspecies. Follow local protections rather than assuming a general trout rule applies.
Photo credit and sources
Yellowstone cutthroat trout shown; other cutthroat subspecies can look different.
Photo: Ryan Hagerty/USFWS — Public domain
Species information reviewed 2026-10-16. Photos show representative fish, not fish photographed at every linked water.
Cutthroat Trout Habitat & Size
Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) is associated with river water and lake water in the species record. Habitat information describes the species, not permission to fish for it. The recorded average size is approximately 14 inches; individual sizes vary.
Recorded Waters for Cutthroat Trout
FishFinder links Cutthroat Trout to water records in Alaska, Alberta, Arizona, Arkansas, British Columbia, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. These associations may reflect documented presence, seasonal runs, or historical stocking, not angler catch reports or current abundance. Read the linked water guides and source notes for evidence dates and reaches.
Cutthroat Trout Fishing Regulations & Limits
A recorded association does not establish that targeting or retaining Cutthroat Trout is permitted. Confirm current species protections, seasonal and emergency closures, reach-specific rules, gear restrictions, bag and size limits with the responsible fisheries authority before fishing. A fishing license does not override these restrictions. FishFinder's regulation records may be incomplete; missing rules do not mean unrestricted fishing.
Related Water Guides for Cutthroat Trout
Explore these FishFinder water guides for places where Cutthroat Trout is recorded:
- Yellowstone River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Flathead Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Bow River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Fraser River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Cowichan Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Cowichan River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Campbell River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Great Central Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Sproat Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Harrison Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Chilliwack (Vedder) River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Pitt Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Elk River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- St. Mary River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Dean River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Skeena River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Bulkley River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Oldman River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Crowsnest River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Upper Kananaskis Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Chester Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- South Fork Lakes — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Abraham Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Ram River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Clearwater River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Situk River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Thorne River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Big Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Norfork Tailwater — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Little Red River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Spinney Mountain Reservoir — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Lake Pend Oreille — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Priest Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Coeur d'Alene Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- St. Joe River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Dworshak Reservoir — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Bear Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Blackfoot River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Henrys Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Henrys Fork — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- South Fork Snake River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Salmon River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- White River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Cumberland River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Flathead River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Hungry Horse Reservoir — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Bitterroot River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Clark Fork River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Blackfoot River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Rock Creek (near Missoula) — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Topaz Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Marlette Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Snake Range High Lakes — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Rio Grande — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Rio Chama — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Pecos River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Rio Costilla — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Nehalem River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Siletz River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Alsea River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Siltcoos Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Willamette River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- McKenzie River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Clackamas River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Sandy River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Rogue River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- North Umpqua River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Umpqua River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Chetco River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Mann Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Caney Fork River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Elk River (Tennessee) — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Strawberry Reservoir — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Scofield Reservoir — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Panguitch Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Green River (Utah) — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Logan River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Weber River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Blacksmith Fork River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Joes Valley Reservoir — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Lake Chelan — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Lake Washington (Seattle) — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Lake Sammamish — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Mayfield Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Riffe Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Yakima River — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Buffalo Bill Reservoir (Wyoming) — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Pelham Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Green River (Wyoming) — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- North Platte River (Wyoming) — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Jackson Lake (Wyoming) — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Palisades Reservoir (Wyoming) — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
- Lower Slide Lake — recorded Cutthroat Trout association
Equipment planning for Cutthroat Trout
We have not selected a species-specific affiliate setup for this guide. First establish whether targeting is permitted at your destination; no tackle recommendation should be inferred from a species record.
Equipment guidance is not permission to fish. Confirm the exact water, date, species, method and current official rules first. A closed season prohibits targeting, even with release. Recorded fish presence does not establish an open fishery.
- Check permitted methods, bait and hook restrictions before choosing tackle. Match rod, line and lure ratings to the lawful method and conditions, rather than buying by species name alone.
- Plan weather protection, drinking water and a way to call for help. For boat trips, confirm required flotation and safety equipment with the responsible boating authority.
- Read the habitat and water-specific source notes in this guide, then confirm an appropriate lawful method with the local fisheries authority before choosing equipment. Do not assume a general freshwater combo suits every species or water.
This is an editorial planning checklist, not hands-on product testing. Use equipment you already own when suitable. The gear directory contains affiliate links; any product suggestions below have their own disclosure. Retailer region, availability and Canadian shipping are not guaranteed.
Browse the gear directory · Find official fishing-rule sources · Affiliate disclosure
Cutthroat Trout Regulations
Review available regulation records and confirm whether fishing for Cutthroat Trout is permitted with the responsible fisheries authority:
Frequently Asked Questions
What water types are associated with Cutthroat Trout?
The species record associates Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) with river water and lake water. Habitat information is not evidence of current abundance or permission to target the species.
How big does Cutthroat Trout get?
The recorded average size for Cutthroat Trout is approximately 14 inches. Individual sizes vary; this average is not a maximum size or a legal retention limit.
Where does FishFinder record water associations for Cutthroat Trout?
FishFinder links Cutthroat Trout to water records in Alaska, Alberta, Arizona, Arkansas, British Columbia, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. These associations may reflect documented presence, seasonal runs, or historical stocking, not angler catch reports. Check the linked water guides and source notes for evidence dates and reaches; a listing does not guarantee current presence or legal fishing opportunity.
Does a listing or fishing license permit fishing for Cutthroat Trout?
No. A listing records an association, not permission to target or retain Cutthroat Trout. License requirements and exemptions vary. Confirm current species protections, seasonal and emergency closures, reach-specific rules, gear restrictions, bag and size limits with the responsible fisheries authority. A license does not override restrictions, and missing FishFinder regulation records do not mean unrestricted fishing.