Cutthroat Trout
Oncorhynchus clarkii
The Native Trout of the American West
- Average size
- 12–18" typical · 20"+ trophies
- Peak season
- July–September
- Experiences
- 5
Cutthroat trout are the only trout native to interior western North America. Fourteen recognized subspecies — from the Snake River Fine-Spot to the Yellowstone, Bonneville, Lahontan, Greenback, Colorado River, Westslope, and sea-run (coastal) cutthroat — inhabit waters from Arizona to Alaska. They're willing dry-fly eaters, often considered the quintessential "fish of the high country."
The best cutthroat fishing happens at elevation, in the backcountry, often requiring hiking or horse-packing to reach. Yellowstone National Park's native cutthroat, the westslope fishery of the Flathead system, and Alaska's sea-run coastal cutthroat represent three distinct experiences. Sea-run cutthroat ("harvest trout" or "bluebacks") are a dedicated coastal BC and Southeast Alaska pursuit with a fanatic small following.
Best Methods
- ● Dry flies in high-country meadow streams
- ● Hopper-dropper rigs in summer (July–September)
- ● Streamer fishing for large predatory cutthroat
- ● Sight-fishing for sea-run cutthroat on Alaska estuaries
Gear Notes
3- to 5-weight rods for typical stream cutthroat; 6-weight for sea-run or large Yellowstone cutts. Shorter, lighter gear rewards finesse on the small waters where most cutthroat live.
Where to Catch Cutthroat Trout
5 vetted experiences across 2 countries.
High Lonesome Ranch, Colorado
High Lonesome Ranch is located in DeBeque, Colorado with almost 300 square miles of deeded and permitted lands on the Western Slope of the Colorado Rockies.
King Pacific Lodge, British Columbia, Canada
King Pacific Lodge is the ultimate luxury/adventure/ecotourism vacation spot located in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest on the west coast of British Columbia.
Shadow Mountain Lodge, British Columbia, Canada
Shadow Mountain Lodge is a family-owned lodge in British Columbia offering both hunting and fishing experiences in the Canadian Outdoors. The intimate lodge accommodates no more than eight guests for personalized service.
The Lodge at Whale Pass, Southeast Alaska
The Lodge at Whale Pass is situated in the heart of the Inside Passage, only a 45-minute floatplane trip from Ketchikan with no set arrival or departure days.
White River Inn, Arkansas
White River Inn is a luxurious full-service fishing lodge on 31 private acres above the White River near Cotter, Arkansas, home to the world record brown trout.
Explore Other Species
Browse our full species catalog.