Cutthroat Trout fishing
Oncorhynchus clarkii. Dark green to olive back with silvery sides and irregular dark spots covering the entire body.
Cutthroat Trout fishing uses a Blue Fox Vibrax spinner or a small minnow. Utah's high alpine lakes often get cutthroat as 1-3 inch fingerlings dropped by aircraft, not catchable-size fish, needing a full growing season or more to reach catchable size.
Published by Fishypedia · Sources last checked September 19, 2026
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
- Active times
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- Line
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- Hook sizes
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- Stocked in
- 8 states
- Peak in ID
- May
Identification
- Dark green to olive back with silvery sides and irregular dark spots covering the entire body.
- Red-orange slash marks on the underside of the lower jaw, the feature that gives the species its name.
- Small teeth on the back of the tongue, a trait rainbow trout lack.
- Typically 7 to 9 inches in resident populations, though quality lakes can produce fish 10 to 18 inches.
Sources: wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 18, 2026
Top lures
Top baits
Line & tackle
- Rod power
Depth by season
Spring
One of the best seasons to fish; cool water lets fish use shoreline shallows and submerged debris.
Summer
Warming water pushes fish deeper and closer to bottom, often into offshore areas to escape the heat.
Fall
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Sources: wdfw.wa.gov, accessed September 18, 2026
Stocked behavior
Utah's high alpine lakes often get cutthroat as 1-3 inch fingerlings dropped by aircraft, not catchable-size fish, needing a full growing season or more to reach catchable size. That program is specific to Utah's remote high lakes; check a lake's own stocking history for its actual plant size. Small fish hold near shoreline drop-offs and debris like wild cutthroat, not near the release point.
Common mistakes
- Fishing summer days in the shallows; in summer the fish are found closer to the bottom, with a lull as they move offshore into deeper water in July and August.
- Overlooking small headwater streams; most resident cutthroat are found in small headwater streams above impassable barriers.
Best time to fish Cutthroat Trout
Most commonly stocked in May in Idaho, based on 303 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in June in Montana, based on 1448 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in July in Nevada, based on 268 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in October in New Mexico, based on 93 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in May in Utah, based on 640 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in December in Washington, based on 52 stocking events on record.
Most commonly stocked in July in Wyoming, based on 1308 stocking events on record.
Where it's stocked
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Idaho
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
South Dakota
Utah
Washington
Wyoming
State records
| State | Weight | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | 16 lbs | Wm. D. Sands | Red Eagle Lake | 1955 |
| Utah | 26 lbs. 12 oz. | Mrs. E. Smith | Strawberry Reservoir | 1930 |
| Washington | 12.00 lbs | W. Welsh | Lake Crescent, Clallam County | 1961 |
| Wyoming | 15 lbs. | Alan Dow - Gillette, WY | Native Lake, Sublette County | 1959 |
Common questions
What lures work for Cutthroat Trout?
Blue Fox Vibrax spinner, a spinner in silver, gold, and fluorescent orange. Little Cleo spoon, a spoon in silver and gold. Leech pattern streamer, a fly in black, olive, and maroon.
What bait works for Cutthroat Trout?
Small minnow (where legal).
Where do Cutthroat Trout hold?
Spring: One of the best seasons to fish; cool water lets fish use shoreline shallows and submerged debris. Summer: Warming water pushes fish deeper and closer to bottom, often into offshore areas to escape the heat. Winter: Catch rates drop during the spawning period.
How big do Cutthroat Trout get?
The Montana record is 16 lbs from Red Eagle Lake in 1955. The Utah record is 26 lbs. 12 oz. from Strawberry Reservoir in 1930. The Washington record is 12.00 lbs from Lake Crescent, Clallam County in 1961. 1 more state records are on this page.