Species
Cutthroat Trout
Oncorhynchus clarkii · family Salmonidae
Live · updated
The West's native trout, named for the red-orange slash under the jaw. Many subspecies — Yellowstone, Snake River fine-spotted, Bonneville, Colorado River, and the giant Lahontan strain of Pyramid Lake, which routinely tops 10 lb and once produced fish over 40. Feeds hard in cold water, which makes it a year-round target on tailwaters and a marquee winter–spring fishery at Pyramid. Hybridizes readily with stocked rainbows, so wild-cutthroat waters carry strict release rules.
Preferred conditions
- Water temp
- 39–62°F (ideal 54°F)
- Tide
- either
- Moon
- either
- Depth
- 1–25 ft
- Active months
- Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
Best cutthroat trout conditions today
Green River below Flaming Gorge
Strawberry Reservoir
Bitterroot River
South Fork Snake River (Heise)
North Platte River (Grey Reef)
Provo River
Pyramid Lake
No locations match that filter.
Regulations by jurisdiction
NTUT
non tidal-trout
- Creel
- 4
Utah statewide trout aggregate: 4/day (rainbow, brown, brook, cutthroat, tiger combined), no more than 2 cutthroat or tiger under 15" and only 1 over 22". Many blue-ribbon waters add slot or gear rules — confirm the water.
Source · verified 2026-06-03
Waters with special regulations in this jurisdiction
NTID
non tidal-trout
- Creel
- 6
Idaho general trout limit: 6/day. The South Fork Snake and Henry's Fork protect wild cutthroat — several reaches are no-harvest on cutthroat or fly-only catch-and-release (Harriman "Ranch"); the South Fork is open July 1–Dec 15 with no boats before July 16. Confirm the reach.
Source · verified 2026-06-03
NTWY
non tidal-trout
- Creel
- 6
Wyoming statewide trout limit: 6/day in any combination of waters.
Source · verified 2026-06-03
Waters with special regulations in this jurisdiction
NTNM
non tidal-trout
- Creel
- 5
New Mexico cold-water limit: 5 trout/salmon per day (10 in possession); no more than 2 may be cutthroat and no more than 2 lake trout.
Source · verified 2026-06-03
Waters with special regulations in this jurisdiction
PYRAMID
non tidal
- Min size
- 17"
- Creel
- 2
Pyramid Lake is managed by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe — a tribal permit (not a Nevada license) is required, and only barbless hooks are allowed. Lahontan cutthroat trophy slot: keepers must be 17–20" or over 24"; everything under 17" and the protected 20–24" slot must be released. Daily limit 2 fish, no more than one over 24". Season October 1–June 30.
Source · verified 2026-06-03