Westslope Cutthroat Trout (WCT) are native to streams and lakes in the upper Columbia River basin (Idaho and Montana), the Methow River and Lake Chelan drainages (Washington), the John Day River drainage (Oregon), the headwaters of the South Saskatchewan River (Montana), and the upper Missouri River basin (Montana and Wyoming). The westslope cutthroat trout(Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi), also known as the black-spotted trout, common cutthroat troutand red-throated troutis a subspecies of the cutthroat … It provides a diverse complex of mountain ranges, valleys, and plateaus that extend beyond Oregon … Habitat: While westslope cutthroat trout was once the most widely distributed cutthroat in North America, its home in Oregon has always been limited to the John Day Basin. As temperatures drop in the fall, the fish will drop lower in the system to the mainstem, where access is more limited as most fish will be found on private land. Native Fish Species Rainbow Trout Redband Trout Coastal Cutthroat Trout Westslope Cutthroat Trout Chinook Salmon (King, Blackmouth) Coho Salmon (Silver) Kokanee/Sockeye spawning colors Kokanee/Sockeye pre-spawning colors Steelhead Bull Trout (Resident) Northern Pikeminnow Bull Trout … Young, Don Campton, Steve Duke, and Jim T. Mogen (September 1999). Subsequently, the Fish and Wildlife Service assumed sole regulatory jurisdiction. Westslope cutthroat trout are adfluvial, fluvial, or resident (with the exception of a single lake-spawn­ ing population; Carl and Stelfox 1989) (table 1). 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE The most common is the Coastal Cutthroat, which includes both resident and anadromous--or sea-run--strains. Based on changes in forest management re… (800) 720-6339, Do you have a question or comment for ODFW? Westslope Cutthroat Trout is a trout with small, non-rounded spots, with few spots on the anterior body below the lateral line. The pool closed to retention at midnight on Jan. 4. This … Officially designated as Montana’s state fish, the Westslope Cutthroat’s historical range included all of Montana west of the Continental Divide, as well as the upper Missouri River drainage. Deeds, Lynn R. Kaeding, Samuel C. Lohr, Douglas A. The photos below are of Methow River (Washington) Westslope Cutthroat trout. There are also several unconnected … Three varieties of Cutthroat trout are available to Washington and Oregon anglers. It is often difficult to distinguish the westslope from other cutthroat species, but it tends to have more small spots by the tail and none by the pectoral fin. Techniques: These fish feed on aquatic and terrestrial insects – food sources that can be mimicked well by flies and artificial lures. The introduction and spread of nonnative trout such as brook, rainbow, brown, and lake trout is considered by many fisheries scientists to be the major threat to WCT. Projects have included a 2009  range-wide status assessment,  numerous barrier removal efforts, as well as stream and riparian restoration and genetic assessments. ... Westslope cutthroat trout. Trout stocking in lakes and ponds continues for now. Coloration varies, but generally is silver with yellowish hints, though bright yellow, orange, and especially red colors can be expressed to a much greater extent than on coastal or Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout … Retrieved 2014-02-20.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link) You can tell it’s a westslope cutthroat by its spot pattern – the majority of the black spots are found on the back end of the fish with rather few ahead of the dorsal fin. 1. WCT currently occupy about 33,500 miles (59%) of the nearly 56,500 miles of historical habitat. Photo Credit: Josh McCormick Overview. Adfluvial fish live in the large lakes in … There are four distinct forms of coastal cutthroats. Projects have generally followed a site- specific/opportunity- based approach rather than a watershed approach, with varied results and accomplishments. Westslope Cutthroat Trout . ^ Scott A. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is leading or participating in several recovery or conservation planning efforts. The inability to stop or reverse habitat degradation is one of the major obstacles to the continued improvement of the WCT status, although this concern is ameliorated somewhat by the fact that over 50% of current occupied WCT habitat is in roadless and wilderness areas. The Greatest Westslope Cutthroat Fishery on the Planet by Mike Peterson Leo is the Fisheries Management Biologist for the west side of the Bob Marshall and the Swan range. Although commonly associated with the state of Montana, the historic range of Westslope Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) is the most widespread geographically among the 14 subspecies of inland cutthroat trout. The Westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) is the most geographically widespread of the inland cutthroats, native to streams and lakes in the upper Columbia River basin (Idaho and Montana), Methow River and Lake Chelan drainages (Washington), John Day River drainage … These trout get their name from the red-orange slashes on the underside of the lower jaw. Native species Coastal Cutthroat Trout Chinook Salmon (King, Blackmouth) Kokanee/Sockeye spawning colors Steelhead Northern Pikeminnow White Sturgeon Redband Trout Westslope Cutthroat Trout Coho Salmon (Silver) Rainbow Trout Kokanee/Sockeye pre-spawning colors Bull Trout (Resident) Bull Trout … U.S. Coloration varies, but generally is silver with yellowish hints, though … p. 7. Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Fish Distribution, Washington, Idaho, Columbia River Basin, Pacific Northwest, Oregon, Montana, StreamNet Project Summary Description Credits … Coastal Cutthroat Trout is a sea-run cutthroat trout, a subspecies of cutthroat trout found in Western North America. Bait is prohibited in most streams in the Northeast Zone. Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife. Resident Coastal Cutthroat … The photo below is of a Westslope Cutthroat Trout caught and released in July 2015 on the South Fork Salmon River near McCall, Idaho. 2 Westslope Cutthroat Trout Status Update Summary 2009 Bruce E. May1 Introduction This abbreviated status update for westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki lewisii, WCT ) … Located in NE Oregon, the Blue Mountains ecoregion is the largest ecoregion in the state. Features: Like all cutthroat trout, this species boasts bright red streaks on either side of its “throat.” You can tell it’s a westslope cutthroat by its spot pattern – the majority of the black spots are found on the back end of the fish with rather few ahead of the dorsal fin. Effective March 18, all state-owned fish hatcheries are closed to public access and visitors. A map of the potential native range of the Alvord Cutthroat trout. Current conditions and opportunities to fish, hunt and see wildlife. RANGE: Westslope cutthroat trout occur on both sides of the Continental Divide from Yellowstone National Park into British Columbia and Alberta Canada. Status Review for Westslope Cutthroat Trout in the United States. Endangered Species Act (ESA) and under Oregon… Restrictions apply … Bartley, D.M. Contact ODFW's Public Service Representative at: odfw.info@state.or.us. Fish and Wildlife Service. Radiotelemetry was used to study the seasonal movements and habitat use of adult westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi in Roberts Creek and Rail Creek, headwater tributaries of the John Day River, Oregon… Coastal cutthroat trout. Between 2006 and 2020, the Western Native Trout Initiative has contributed over $645,754 to 28 projects benefiting Westslope Cutthroat Trout in Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and Washington. As with other cutthroat subspecies, the distribution and numbers of WCT have declined due to human influences such as livestock grazing and other agricultural practices, logging, road-building, mining, dam construction, loss of riparian habitat, erosion, sedimentation, and placement of barriers to fish migration. Although members of Oncorhynchus, the Pacific trout/salmon species, three subspecies—the westslope (O. c. lewisi), the greenback (O. c. stomias) and Yellowstone cutthroat trout (O. c. … The Bonneville Pool on the Columbia River will close to sturgeon retention at midnight on Jan. 7. Can’t find what you need? Contact: odfw.commission@state.or.us A better understanding of the potentially complex life history requirements of westslope cutthroat trout in headwater basins is critical to managing for the persistence of the subspecies. The average size of these fish is 6 to 16 inches, depending on habitat. Blueheads and Bonnevilles – Weber River, Utah, Westslope Cutthroat Species Status Report, From worry to westslope: Cutthroat trout in Madison River spells success for Cherry Creek project. Westslope cutthroat were first brought to the attention of the scientific community when Captain Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition described trout caught by a member of the expedition near the Great Falls of the Missouri River in Montana on J… All photos were taken by Kevin van Bueren of North Cascades Fly Fishing. References. ODFW staff will be available by phone and email. Main Phone (503) 947-6000 Westslope Cutthroat Trout (WCT) are native to streams and lakes in the upper Columbia River basin (Idaho and Montana), the Methow River and Lake Chelan drainages (Washington), the John Day River drainage … The plans are designed to address legal requirements for recovery planning under the U.S. In Canada, it is restricted to southwestern Alberta (primarily the South Saskatchewan drainage) and southeastern British Columbia (primarily the Kootenay and Upper Columbia drainages). Genetic identification of native cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki) and introgressive hybridization with introduced rainbow trout (O. mykiss) in streams associated with the Alvord Basin, Oregon … Learn more about Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Westslope Cutthroat Trout management, Read the Idaho Fish and Game Department Management Plan for Westslope Cutthroat Trout conservation, Learn more about Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks’ Westslope Cutthroat Trout conservation efforts, Learn more about Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Native Fish Investigations Project, Read more about Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Westslope Cutthroat Trout conservation, Recent article from the Bozeman Daily Chronicle (May 21, 2015): From worry to westslope: Cutthroat trout in Madison River spells success for Cherry Creek project. 5 Alerts X. Bonneville Pool closes to sturgeon retention. Sea-run cutthroat trout… All rights reserved. ©2019 Western Native Trout Initiative. In 1999, a proposed rule to list the southwestern Washington/lower Columbia River Distinct Population Segment of coastal cutthroat trout as threatened was published by National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. The westslope cutthroat is one of the four major subspecies of cutthroat and is native to a very large area of western North America, including parts of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon, Washington and Canada. The most common variety in Oregon is the coastal cutthroat … Fish and Wildlife Service concluded that the WCT is not likely to become a threatened or endangered species within the foreseeable future. The westslope subspecies of cutthroat trout is found in just one area in Oregon – the John Day Basin. and G.A.E. Habitat: While westslope cutthroat trout was once the most widely distributed cutthroat in North America, its home in Oregon has always been limited to the John Day Basin. Its range has become extremely fragmented (in high elevation, isolated headwater areas) and the core of … However, … It includes … ODA recommends discarding any razor clams dug on or since Monday, Nov. 16. … Also, the Westslope Cutthroat Trout is more of a silvery or greenish color than other cutthroats. Gall. As well known as the Elk is for its mammoth bull trout, it is even better known for its sizeable wild, westslope cutthroat trout and large concentrations of mountain whitefish. Westslope Cutthroat Trout is a trout with small, non-rounded spots, with few spots on the anterior body below the lateral line. Beginning March 23, all ODFW offices will be closed to visitors. The sturgeon quota in The Dalles Pool has been met. At present, there are multiple State, Federal, Tribal and private conservation efforts that are working to improve the status of WCT in the northwestern U.S. The distribution of Westslope Cutthroat Trout straddles the Continental Divide and includes drainages in Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Wyoming in the United States. The photos of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in this section of our photo gallery are courtesy of photographer D. Kenney. During the cooler months of summer you can find them in places like Strawberry Creek and upper Canyon Creek. 1991. © Copyright 2016–2021 Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, ODFW hatcheries closed to public, visitors, Bonneville Pool closes to sturgeon retention, The Dalles Pool closes to sturgeon retention. Salem, OR 97302 The Bonneville Pool on the Columbia River will close to sturgeon retention at midnight on Jan. 7. Fish and Wildlife Service who shared joint jurisdiction of this species. In 2003, on the basis of the available information, the U.S. Updated weekly by fish and wildlife biologists throughout the state. Visit the ODFW's agency site. Do you want to enter your opinion about a specific issue into the public record?