Cutthroat Trout
Oncorhynchus clarkii
Named for the vivid red-orange slash marks beneath its jaw, the cutthroat trout is a heavily spotted native trout found in coastal and interior B.C. Coastal cutthroat prowl estuaries and rivers while westslope cutthroat thrive in cold Kootenay streams, and both are prized by fly anglers for their eager rise.
Cold, clean coastal and interior streams, estuaries, and lakes; often managed as wild catch-and-release fisheries.
How to Catch Cutthroat Trout
Whether you're new to targeting Cutthroat Trout or refining your approach, success starts with matching your tactics to where the fish lives. Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) is typically found in river water and lake water, so concentrate your effort where those conditions line up. Mature Cutthroat Trout average around 14 inches, which helps you choose the right line, lure size, and tackle for the fight.
Where to Find Cutthroat Trout in the USA & Canada
Cutthroat Trout is recorded across a range of North American waters, including spots in Alaska, Alberta, Arizona, Arkansas, British Columbia, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Browse the linked water guides below to see the specific lakes, rivers, and coastal waters where anglers report catching Cutthroat Trout, then plan a trip around the water closest to you.
Cutthroat Trout Fishing Regulations & Limits
Fishing rules for Cutthroat Trout vary by state and province. Before you head out, check the daily bag limits, minimum size limits, and open seasons that apply in your area. When FishFinder has matching records, the regulations link below takes you to the rules hub. Following local limits keeps Cutthroat Trout populations healthy for future seasons.
Related Water Guides for Cutthroat Trout
Explore these FishFinder water guides for places where Cutthroat Trout is recorded:
- Yellowstone River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Flathead Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Bow River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Fraser River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Cowichan Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Cowichan River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Campbell River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Great Central Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Sproat Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Harrison Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Chilliwack (Vedder) River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Pitt Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Elk River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- St. Mary River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Dean River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Skeena River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Bulkley River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Oldman River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Crowsnest River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Upper Kananaskis Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Chester Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- South Fork Lakes — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Abraham Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Ram River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Clearwater River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Situk River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Thorne River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Big Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Norfork Tailwater — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Little Red River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Spinney Mountain Reservoir — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Lake Pend Oreille — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Priest Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Coeur d'Alene Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- St. Joe River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Dworshak Reservoir — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Bear Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Henrys Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Henrys Fork — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- South Fork Snake River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Salmon River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- White River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Cumberland River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Flathead River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Hungry Horse Reservoir — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Bitterroot River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Clark Fork River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Blackfoot River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Rock Creek (near Missoula) — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Topaz Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Marlette Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Snake Range High Lakes — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Rio Grande — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Rio Chama — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Pecos River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Rio Costilla — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Nehalem River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Siletz River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Alsea River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Siltcoos Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Willamette River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- McKenzie River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Clackamas River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Sandy River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Rogue River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- North Umpqua River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Umpqua River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Chetco River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Mann Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Caney Fork River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Elk River (Tennessee) — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Strawberry Reservoir — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Scofield Reservoir — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Panguitch Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Green River (Utah) — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Logan River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Weber River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Blacksmith Fork River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Joes Valley Reservoir — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Lake Chelan — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Lake Washington (Seattle) — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Lake Sammamish — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Mayfield Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Riffe Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Yakima River — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Buffalo Bill Reservoir (Wyoming) — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Pelham Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Green River (Wyoming) — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- North Platte River (Wyoming) — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Jackson Lake (Wyoming) — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Palisades Reservoir (Wyoming) — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
- Lower Slide Lake — Cutthroat Trout fishing water
Cutthroat Trout Regulations
Review current FishFinder regulation records before targeting Cutthroat Trout:
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of water is best for catching Cutthroat Trout?
Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) is typically found in river water and lake water. Focus your effort where those conditions line up to improve your chances.
How big does Cutthroat Trout get?
Mature Cutthroat Trout average around 14 inches, though individual fish can run larger. Matching your line, lure size, and tackle to that range makes for a better fight and landing rate.
Where can I catch Cutthroat Trout in the USA and Canada?
Cutthroat Trout is reported across North American waters, including spots in Alaska, Alberta, Arizona, Arkansas, British Columbia, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Check the locations listed on this page to find the lakes, rivers, and coastal waters closest to you.
Do I need a fishing license to catch Cutthroat Trout?
A valid fishing license is required in most US states and Canadian provinces. Daily bag limits, minimum size limits, and open seasons for Cutthroat Trout vary by region, so review the regulations on this page and with your local wildlife authority before heading out.