Cutthroat Trout

There are four subspecies of Cutthroat trout found throughout Utah's fishing waters. The Bear Lake strain of the Bonneville Cutthroat, the Bonneville Cutthroat, the Colorado Cutthroat and the Yellowstone Cutthroat.

Identification

Bear Lake Cutthroat

  Bonneville Cutthroat

Colorado Cutthroat 

Yellowstone Cutthroat

Bear Lake Cutthroat
    The Bear Lake Cutthroat is a strain of Bonneville Cutthroat that is unique to Bear Lake. Although it has been planted in other lakes this bread has evolved and successfully reproduces in the tributaries Bear Lake. Some cutthroat are trapped by the DWR for propagation of their eggs and raised in fish hatcheries and returned to the lake in the spring. The Bear Lake Cutthroat is predominantly silver and white with sporadic spots throughout the back and sides. Only having faint red cutthroat slashes under the jaw these fish are easily confused for rainbow trout. The easiest way to tell the difference is that the rainbow trout has dense spotting on the head and back where the cutthroat trout rarely has spots on the head.



     Although the Cutthroat of Bear Lake can be caught year round effective techniques change with the seasons. During the winter when ice covers the lake jigging is a very effective method for these fish. When the ice comes off in the spring these fish can found throughout the water column. Effective methods include long lining, using planed boards and running lead line to achieve the desired depths. In the summer and fall down riggers are helpful to achieve an adequate dept. Best depth are usually 30 to 40 feet although active fish will chase presentation into shallower depths. In the heat of the summer vertical jigging from a boat can be productive. Tipping silver or white spoons and tube jigs with a Cisco tail may be your best bet.

Bonneville Cutthroat