Species profile
Coastal Cutthroat Trout
Oncorhynchus clarkii
Identify Coastal Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules app. Plus current fishing rules across 19 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Coastal Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) is a bony-fish species regulated in 26 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
The strictest bag limit is 1 (Tennessee); the most generous is 6 (Federal Waters (DFO)).
Across 12 jurisdictions with stated minimum sizes, the average minimum is 12.9 in.
Confirmed by 1,633 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Oregon, British Columbia, and Washington the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Listed under SARA — verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Notable details
- Named for the vivid red slash marks visible beneath each jaw.
- Unlike most Pacific salmon, many sea-run cutthroat survive spawning and return to the ocean to breed again.
- The same species can live as either a stream-resident fish or an ocean-going sea-run fish.
- Members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition formally documented the species in 1805.
- Sea-run fish typically weigh 1–3 lbs but can exceed 5 lbs in large river systems.
Where Coastal Cutthroat Trout are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Coastal Cutthroat Trout
Protected status
- SARA Schedule 1 (threatened): Westslope Cutthroat Trout. Canadian populations — harm/harvest prohibited under SARA s.32-33.
- SARA Schedule 1 (special concern): Westslope Cutthroat Trout. Canadian populations — harm/harvest prohibited under SARA s.32-33.
Always verify protected-species rules with the issuing agency before retaining or handling.
Background
The coastal cutthroat trout, also known as the sea-run cutthroat trout, blue-back trout or harvest trout, is one of the four species of cutthroat trout found in western North America. The coastal cutthroat trout occurs in four distinct forms. A semi-anadromous or sea-run form is the most well known. Freshwater forms occur in both large and small rivers and streams and lake environments.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Coastal Cutthroat Trout article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other bony fish on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Coastal Cutthroat Trout?
Coastal Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii) is a bony-fish species regulated in 26 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Coastal Cutthroat Trout?
Coastal Cutthroat Trout is Oncorhynchus clarkii.
Is Coastal Cutthroat Trout regulated for fishing?
Yes — Coastal Cutthroat Trout has fishing regulations in 19 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Coastal Cutthroat Trout?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules app for iPhone or Android — on-device identification recognizes Coastal Cutthroat Trout along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.