Bonneville Cutthroat Trout

Oncorhynchus clarkii utah

Fast Facts

This species is descended from cutthroat trout that inhabited Lake Bonneville approximately 30,000 years ago.

It is called “Ainkai Painkwi” or “Red Fish” by the Goshute tribe, and is considered sacred to them.

The Bonneville Cutthroat Trout is Utah’s state fish.

Range

Bonneville Basin in Utah, and surrounding states

Habitat

Streams and lakes with cool, clear water and rocky bottoms

Size

18 inches

Nutrition

Smaller fish, crustaceans, and insects

Conservation Connection Conservation Status Least Concern

This fish was an important source of food for Native Americans and early pioneers. They were abundant in the 19th century, but a combination of overfishing, habitat loss, pollution and the introduction of non-native trout led to drastic declines in its population. By the early 20th century, the Bonneville Cutthroat Trout was believed to be extinct. Six small populations of Bonneville Cutthroat Trout were rediscovered in the 1970’s. After aggressive state and local conservation efforts, the fish made a drastic comeback. As of 2015 there were 202 stable populations in 2,728 square miles of restored habitat. Despite this recovery, the state of Utah still keeps a close eye on this fish as it is still sensitive to habitat loss and competition from non-native species.

Bonneville Cutthroat Trout

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