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The Colorado Cutthroat is rare in Wyoming's rivers. The Cutthroat population is being depleted by non-native fish such as the rainbow, brown, and brook trout. The non-native fish compete with the Cutthroat by eating all the food and eating the other fish. Only 25% of the Cutthroats's population is genetically pure. This is due to cross breeding with non-native fish. |
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| The Colorado Cutthroat are in a fair amount of danger. The habitat needed for the fish is clear water, preferably cold water, and a lot of macro-invertabrates and invertebrates. The habitat for the Colorado Cutthroat is being increasingly decreased by erosion and other fish species.
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| Although the Cutthroat are being out competed, they are still abundant in some stretches of river. Though they are abundant, the fish are confined to 10 mile stretches of river, rather than large areas of river. Though mother nature is doing a good job with nature, the game and fish have decided to step in and help with the fight for the Colorado Cuthroat. The Colorado Cutthroat have been out competed by other fish, so to restore order to their habitat the Game and Fish have decided to poison areas where the Colorado Cutthroat population should be more abundant. All of the fish are killed, then the river is restocked with only Colorado Cutthroat. A barrier is placed on the river to stop non-natives from returning to the area. |
| The habitat is also another hurdle the Cutthroat have to jump. Although the fish are trying to reclaim the land that they once had, the Game and Fish are also helping in the fight for the fish. The Game and Fish restore banks to the river, which help clarify the water for a better habitat for the Cutthroat. |
| This is how to distinguish the Colorado Cutthroat from other fish. The fish's spots are the easiest way to figure out the specific kind of Cutthroat. The spots on the Colorado Cutthroat are irregular rather than being in a pattern. Also the spots are concentrated towards the tail of fish. The fish also has a slit under it's head, this is true of all Cutthroat but it is used to classify the fish in a broad species. |
| The Colorado Cutthroat's size is a matter that is determined by their habitat. The Colorado Cutthroat's size is relatively small, since the habitat they live in is usually little high mountian streams. On average a Colorado Cutthroat usually weighs about a half pound. A big Cutthroat is about 2 pounds. |
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| Locations near Pinedale where Colorado Cutthroat are found |
| Tosi Creek, Rock Creek, and Gypsum Creek watersheds |
| Horse Creek watershed |
| Cottonwood Creek watershed |
| North Piney Creek watershed including North Piney Lake |
| South Piney Creek watershed |
| LaBarge Creek watershed |
| Hams Fork River watershed |
| Fontenelle Creek watershed |
| Little Snake River watershed |
| Blacks Fork River watershed |
| Smiths Fork River watershed |
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| Bibliography |
www.fish2.net/davidg/MyPhotos/ FishPics/CutThroat.jpg
biology.usgs.gov/s+t/SNT/ noframe/wm146f13.htm
We would like to give special thanks to all the people at the Pinedale Wyoming Game and Fish office. |