A native subspecies of cutthroat trout endemic to the ancient Lake Bonneville drainage in Utah and adjacent states. Survived in scattered remnant populations after the prehistoric lake dried.

Also called: Bonneville Cutthroat

Native status: Native; vulnerable

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 20–45 cm (8–18 in)
Weight400–1,500 g
LifespanWild 5–8 years
OrderSalmoniformes
FamilySalmonidae

§ Encyclopedia

The Bonneville cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus virginalis utah, is a subspecies of Rocky Mountain Cutthroat Trout native to tributaries of the Great Salt Lake and Sevier Lake. Most of the fish's current and historic range is in Utah, but they are also found in Idaho, Wyoming, and Nevada. This is one of 14 or so recognized subspecies of cutthroat trout native to the western United States. However, In 2023 the American Fisheries Society Common and Scientific Names of Fishes from the United States, Canada, and Mexico, 8th edition reclassified all Cutthroat Trout from one species into four distinct species: Coastal, Lahontan, Westslope, and Rocky Mountain Cutthroat Trout. The Bonneville Cutthroat retained their trinomial designation as a subspecies (utah), but as a subspecies of the Rocky Mountain Cutthroat Trout.

Source: Wikipedia — Bonneville cutthroat trout Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Golden-bronze body with sparse irregular black spots; red-orange throat slash.

Similar species. Other cutthroat subspecies (range-specific). Rainbow Trout (no throat slash).

Voice. Silent.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Aquatic insects, small fish, crustaceans.

Behavior. Native to Bonneville basin — surviving relict of ancient prehistoric Lake Bonneville. Down to 12–20% of historic range.

§ Range

Endemic to the Bonneville basin (Utah, Nevada, Idaho)

§ Habitat

Cold streams, alpine lakes, ancient terminal lake remnants

§ Threats

Hybridization with introduced rainbow trout, habitat loss, climate-driven stream warming.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the bonneville cutthroat trout is currently classified as Vulnerable.

§ What helps

Support Bonneville cutthroat recovery. Don't move rainbows into native cutthroat streams. Donate to Trout Unlimited.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Trout Unlimited
  • Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
  • IUCN Red List 2014