Species and Habitat Outlines

Cutthroat Trout
TAXONOMY

Phylum: Chordata
Class: Osteichthyes
Order: Salmoniformes
Family: Salmonidae

 

ECOLOGICAL DATA

Distribution: spawn in small, low gradient streams or tributaries of larger drainages; common in shallow nearshore.

Habitat: enter natal streams to feed and spawn from Jul-Feb (Sep-Oct for larger rivers and Jan-Feb for small streams); spawn from Dec-May in gravel redds in streams; alevins (24 mm) emerge from gravel during Jun and Jul; juveniles rear in freshwater for 2-3 yr; at 10-25 cm smolts migrate during April and May to estuaries and marine water; reside close to shore, usually over cobble/sand beaches influenced by freshwater source (e.g. creek or stream); usually remain close to natal estuary (within 10 km), but may range up to 70 km; immatures and adults return to overwinter in freshwater streams in fall and return to estuarine areas in spring; adults hold in tidal pools as early as Jul in preparation for spawning migration as 4-5 yr olds.

Tidal elevation: juveniles and adults reside in shallow nearshore.

Food:feed on cobble/sand beaches with freshwater inflows; small fishes (stickleback, sand lance, herring), salmon eggs and fry, smelt, sculpins, shrimp, euphausiids.

Predators: harbour seals, mink, otters and birds.

GROWTH RATE

Reach 1.8 kg and about 50 cm; may live up to 10 yr.

FISHERY

Important sport fish; supports unique beach/estuary sport fishery.

REFERENCES

Armstrong, R.H. 1971. Age, food, and migration of sea-run cutthroat trout, Salmo clarki, at Eva, southeastern Alaska. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 100: 302-306.

Burns, T. 1980. Coastal cutthroat trout in British Columbia. B.C. Min. Environ. Fish Wildl. Branch, Victoria: 4 p.

Giger, R.D. 1972. Ecology and management of coastal cutthroat trout in Oregon. Ore. State Game. Comm., Fish. Res. Rep. 6: 61 p.

Guiguet, T. 1980. An annotated bibliography on the utilization of estuarine habitats by cutthroat and steelhead trout and Dolly Varden char. Hab. Protect. Sec. Fish. Wildl. Branch, Min. Environ.: 12 p.

Johnston, J.M. 1981. Life histories of anadromous cutthroat with emphasis on migratory behaviour, p. 123-127. In E.L. Brannon and E.O. Salo [ed.] Salmon and trout migratory behaviour symposium. Univ. Wash., Seattle.

Pauley, G.B., K. Oshima, K.L. Bowers, and G.L. Thomas. 1989. Species profiles: life histories and environmental requirements of coastal fishes and invertebrates (Pacific Northwest) - sea-run cutthroat trout. U.S. Fish Wildl. Serv. Biol Rep. 82(11.86). U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, TR EL-82-4: 21 p.

 

 

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