RIVER FISH · Cold western water
Cutthroat trout
Oncorhynchus clarkii
A western North American trout recognized by the red-to-orange slash beneath the lower jaw, with many locally adapted subspecies and populations.
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Meet the fish
- Habitat
- Cold, clean streams, rivers and lakes with cover, connected habitat and suitable gravel for spawning.
- On the menu
- Aquatic and terrestrial insects, crustaceans and fish; diet varies with fish size and habitat.
- Size context
- Cutthroat size varies enormously among headwater streams, large rivers and lakes, so local population context matters more than one national average.
- Range & local context
- Native to western North America, with distinct coastal and interior forms occupying different drainages.
Living with the river
Water & habitat
Cold water, intact tributary connections and clean spawning gravel are central. One gauge cannot describe every tributary or lake-connected population.
Seasonal life
Many populations spawn in spring or early summer in flowing tributaries and gravel habitat; exact timing varies by subspecies and elevation.
Why this song? The cutthroat gets a harmless bit of wordplay: “Cut Your Hair” for the trout named for the colored slash beneath its jaw.
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Before you go
Native cutthroat populations often have special conservation rules. Identify local subspecies and regulations before harvest.
Use the linked agencies and the relevant river guide for current regulations, closures and consumption advisories. A species profile is not a fishing license or a statement that harvest is allowed.
Editorial review: . Regional size examples are labeled; maximum lengths are not typical sizes.
More river fish
Keep exploring species connected to the same river-guide network.