Species: Oncorhynchus clarkii clarkii

Coastal Cutthroat Trout

Species

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Encyclopedia of Puget Sound

Articles:

Coastal cutthroat trout and estuary use in Puget Sound

The following article describes how both adult and juvenile coastal cutthroat trout use estuaries in Puget Sound and includes text from two previously published overviews on the subject by University of Washington biologist Thomas P. Quinn.

A fish with many small dark markings lying on its side in shallow water surrounded by fallen green, yellow, and brown leaves.

The role of estuaries in the ecology of adult Pacific salmon and trout in Puget Sound

The extensive loss or modification of estuaries throughout Puget Sound creates a significant challenge for adult salmon as they migrate to their natal streams to spawn. A 2024 report by University of Washington scientist Thomas Quinn looks at how different species of salmonids use estuaries to move from marine to freshwater environments. The report was commissioned by the University of Washington Puget Sound Institute with funding from the Environmental Protection Agency's National Estuary Program.

Report cover with text and image of salmon swimming underwater.

The role of estuaries in the ecology of juvenile Pacific salmon and trout in Puget Sound

This overview describes the different ways that juvenile Pacific salmon and trout use estuaries, and why those differences are important for ecosystem recovery efforts. The report was commissioned by the University of Washington Puget Sound Institute with funding from the Environmental Protection Agency's National Estuary Program.

Aerial view of Puget Sound showing multiple rivers and inlets. The text reads ‘The role of estuaries in the ecology of juvenile Pacific salmon and trout in Puget Sound’ by Thomas P. Quinn from the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington.

Genetic composition and conservation status of coastal cutthroat trout in the San Juan Islands, Washington

November 18, 2019

The watersheds of Washington’s San Juan Islands were thought to be too small to support wild salmonid populations, and many streams flow only seasonally. But a 2019 article in the journal Conservation Genetics reports that at least five watersheds in the region support populations of coastal cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki). Genetic analysis of the cutthroat trout in three of the watersheds suggest two support native populations. The findings are important for understanding the conservation status of these previously unknown populations.

Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki clarki). Photo: NOAA Fisheries West Coast

2014 state of salmon in watersheds executive summary

This report documents how Washingtonians have responded to the challenges of protecting and restoring salmon and steelhead to healthy status. It also serves as a tool to summarize achievements, track salmon recovery progress through common indicators, and identify data gaps that need to be filled.

2014 state of salmon in watersheds report cover

2012 state of salmon in watersheds executive summary

Salmon recovery demands both dedication among people with different interests, and sustained resources. This biennial report tells the story of the progress made to date and the challenges ahead.

Lead Entities for salmon recovery in Puget Sound

February 05, 2014

Lead Entities are local organizations in Puget Sound that develop salmon recovery strategies and priorities for the region on a watershed-based scale.

Classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Craniata

Class

Actinopterygii

Order

Salmoniformes

Family

Salmonidae

Genus

Oncorhynchus

NatureServe

Source:
ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.102506

Classification

Other Global Common Names

truite fardée côtière

Informal Taxonomy

Animals, Vertebrates - Fishes - Bony Fishes - Salmon and Trouts

Formal Taxonomy

Animalia - Craniata - Actinopterygii - Salmoniformes - Salmonidae - Oncorhynchus - Nominal taxa CRESCENTIS and BATHOECETER are synonyms of O. C. CLARKI (Behnke 1992).

Ecology and Life History

Short General Description

A trout with abundant black spotting and a red mark on the underside of the lower jaw, less than 50 cm long.

Habitat Type Description

Freshwater

Migration

true - true - true - Migratory and nonmigratory stocks occur throughout the range (Behnke 1992). In northern California, begins to migrate up streams in September-October, following the first heavy rains; migrates up to 70-90 km inland in the Smith River, not so far in streams to the south (Moyle et al. 1989).

Non-migrant

true

Locally Migrant

true

Food Comments

Adults eat insects, crustaceans, and other fishes. Young feed mostly on aquatic and drift insects, microcrustaceans, and occasionally smaller fishes. (Moyle et al. 1989).

Reproduction Comments

Main time of spawning typically is late winter or early spring, though May spawning has been reported for one area in Oregon (Bond, in Behnke 1992). Eggs hatch after 6-7 weeks; hatchlings emerge from gravel in 1-2 weeks (March-June); first breeds at 2-4 years, lives 4-7 years (Moyle et al. 1989). In Oregon, sea-run trout typically migrate to salt water in the late spring or early summer at age 2 or age 3 (though some may never go to sea); after 2-5 months in the sea, they return to rivers (Behnke 1992). The timing of migrations, age at migrations, length of time spent at sea, and spawning time vary among stocks and geographical areas (Behnke 1992). Reportedly, about 40% survive first spawning (see Stearley 1992); however, Behnke (1992) reported lower values of 5-30%, varying with angling pressure; 12-17% survived between second and third and third and fourth spawnings in a stream little used by anglers (see Behnke 1992). Sea-run trout attain a maximum age of about 10 years (Behnke 1992). See Stearley (1992) for a discussion of the historical ecology and life history evolution of Pacific salmons and trouts (ONCORHYNCHUS).

Ecology Comments

As evidenced by indicative scarring, predation at sea may be a significant cause of natural mortality (see Behnke 1992).

Length

Conservation Status

NatureServe Global Status Rank

G4T4

Global Status Last Reviewed

1997-11-10

Global Status Last Changed

1996-09-25

Other Status

PS - Southwestern Washington/Columbia River coastal cutthroat trout ESU was proposed for listing as a threatened species (NMFS 1999), but later that proposal was withdrawn (NMFS 2002, 2010).

Distribution

Conservation Status Map

Global Range

Small coastal streams from the Eel River, Humboldt County, California, north to the Prince William Sound area, Alaska, including numerous islands with suitable habitat off the coast of British Columbia and southern Alaska (Moyle et al. 1989, Behnke 1992). Typically does not occur farther inland than about 150 km (Behnke 1992). Both sea-run and anadromous stocks occur throughout the range. This is the most widely distributed and abundant subspecies of cutthroat trout, though its "abundance" is only relative to the other depleted subspecies (Behnke 1992). See Moyle et al. (1989) for details on distribution in California.

ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.102506