Bonneville Cutthroat Trout
Utah’s state fish survives as a native cutthroat lineage in restored streams and lakes of the ancient Lake Bonneville basin.
Artwork inspired by LeConte Stewart
Bonneville Cutthroat Trout evolved within the Lake Bonneville drainage and vary across isolated watersheds. Red-orange throat slashes identify cutthroats, but spotting, color, hybridization, and local form make photographs alone unreliable for management decisions.
Clean, drain, and dry gear between waters to prevent disease and invasive species, avoid redds, and never move fish among streams. Restoration often depends on protecting genetically distinct local populations. Follow current Utah fishing regulations, drainage-specific closures, and required tackle rules before entering the water.
- Designation
- Utah state fish
- Basin
- Ancient Lake Bonneville
- Need
- Cold connected water
Quick guide
- Throat
- Look for paired red-orange slashes
- Context
- Confirm the watershed
Field marks for Bonneville Cutthroat Trout
- Body and pattern
- Begin with red-orange throat slashes and relatively sparse body spotting when identifying Bonneville Cutthroat Trout.
- Confirm the water
- Look for sparse posterior spots together with confirm the watershed before accepting the identification.
- Range matters
- Cold Bonneville Basin streams, lakes, and connected headwaters; from spring through early autumn.
- Protect the stream
- Honor current Utah fishing regulations, drainage-specific closures, and required tackle rules before entering the water.
Good to know
Stocked cutthroat and hybrids can resemble native Bonneville fish. For identification, location and agency records matter as much as markings. Never use an app sighting to infer genetic purity or justify moving a fish.
Notice these
- Throat slashes
- Sparse posterior spots
- Native basin lineage