Cutthroat trout are native to the western U.S. They’re called “cutthroat” because of a red mark on their jaws.
They eat smaller fish and other animals that live on the river bottom and lay their eggs in clean gravel on stream bottoms.
The Bonneville cutthroat trout is the official state fish of Utah.
Bonneville Cutthroat Trout are now found only in the upper, colder streams that feed into the Weber, Provo and Bear Rivers. Their numbers are so low that they are considered a “sensitive species”. Many conservation groups are working together to protect these beautiful fish.
Cool Fact:
Bonneville cutthroat trout provided an important food for Native Americans, trappers and Mormon settlers.