The Bonneville cutthroat [Oncorhynchus clarkii utah] is the state fish of Utah and one of two indigenous cutthroat trout subspecies of the Boulder Mountain area

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Bonneville Cutthroat Of The Boulder Mountain

The Bonneville cutthroat [Oncorhynchus clarkii utah] is the state fish of Utah and one of two indigenous cutthroat trout subspecies of the Boulder Mountain area. Colorado River cutthroat [Oncorhynchus clarkii pleuriticus] is the other. These two subspecies of cutthroat trout have replaced the long standing Yellowstone cutthroat [Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri] as the stand-by stocker for the Boulder Mountain. Bonneville cutthroat resemble the Yellowstone cutthroat to some degree, but do not become quite as vividly colored during spawning season as the Yellowstone cutthroat. Neither the Bonneville cutthroat nor the Yellowstone cutthroat can compare to the awesome colors of the Colorado River cutthroat.

The Bonneville cutthroat stand out in other ways from these other two cutthroat sub-species. They have thrived more than expected after being stocked into many lakes on the Boulder Mountain. Anglers can now feast their eyes on great schools of these beautiful trout cruising the shorelines or congregating in mass at spring inlets. The Bonneville is also very susceptible to the fly. They will take nymphs, streamers and best of all, they will slurp dry flies readily.

Saying goodbye to the Yellowstone cutthroat as the tried and true stocker for the Boulder Mountain was a difficult adjustment for many anglers. They are extremely beautiful trout and a delight to catch with a fly rod. The Utah Division Of Wildlife Resources UDWR met some resistance from local anglers in their efforts to reintroduce the two native cutthroat sub-species to the Boulders. The Yellowstone cutthroat often grew to great size in the nutrient-rich waters of the Boulder Mountain.

Anglers of all types often landed Yellowstone cutthroat weighing more than four pounds. It was a difficult adjustment to make for those who grew up catching these big golden cutthroats of Boulder Mountain. The Yellowstone cutthroat still remain in some lakes here but are slowly dieing out.

Bonneville cutthroat have been stocked on the Boulder Mountain for the last decade. After ten years these native trout have shown very good potential and are definitely on par with the Yellowstone cutthroat for growth rates. Trout weighing in at four pounds are now being caught by anglers in many lakes here.

It seems that the feeding habits of lake dwelling cutthroat trout of all sub-species are similar wherever they are found. Bonneville cutthroat will habitually cruise the shorelines searching for food just as the Yellowstone cutthroat do. Colorado River cutthroat will also do the same. The Bonneville will also form large schools around springs during spawning season just like the Colorado River cutthroat and Yellowstone cutthroat do.

Cutthroat trout are not terribly difficult to hook with a fly once you have discovered the correct pattern. This is true of the Bonneville cutthroat as well. Landing these big trout is another matter. They will fight long and incredibly hard until they finally come, exhausted, to the net. Great care should be taken when handling these trout after such a long fight. Releasing them roughly or prematurely can result in fish laying on their sides on the bottom struggling to right themselves. At this point, they are too exhausted and are usually doomed. When you see this problem occur, it is best to alter your handling and releasing techniques.

Hybrid fish such as the Tiger Trout [Salvelinus fontinalis X Salmo trutta] a cross between brook trout and brown trout and Splake [Salvelinus fontinalis X Salvelinus namaycush] a cross between brook trout and lake trout have also been stocked into many of the same lakes as the Bonneville cutthroat. These hybrids are stocked to provide some exciting diversity for anglers and also as a control measure to prevent brookies from over-populating a lake. Bonneville cutthroat that have matured and reached a large size will also feed on young brook trout. These hybrids are generally stocked as put and take fish.

The Bonneville cutthroat is also generally stocked as a put and take fish in most lakes. However, some of these waters are managed as trophy fisheries and most trout there, including the hybrids should be released to ensure a quality fishing experience for all anglers who visit these places. These trophy fisheries require anglers to use discretion as to which fish to keep. There are even certain slot limits that apply at some trophy waters throughout Utah. It is hoped that more trophy fisheries will be established on the Boulder Mountain with specific slot limits and even catch and release only rules applying to some waters.

If you come to the Boulder Mountain to fish for the beautiful Bonneville cutthroat and wish to take your rightful limit of these trout home with you, don’t be too hasty at keeping your limit. You may want to wait awhile before you start putting fish on the stringer. These trout will feed fairly consistently all day long. There is no need to worry that the bite will quit in mid day. There is plenty of time to collect a limit of trout in the late afternoon before you leave. Your fish will be much fresher then and you will not be encumbered by a heavy stringer of big fat cutthroats all day while you the explore shoreline casting as you go.

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