HYBRID CUTTHROAT/RAINBOW TROUT

Some regulations have been modified to allow harvest of trout hybrids. Anglers should use the following guidelines to differentiate hybrids from cutthroat.

General: Cutthroat/rainbow trout hybrids display variable color and markings, representing a range of shared characteristics from rainbow and cutthroat trout. All hybrids show spotting patterns similar to raibow trout with spots more evenly distributed from head to tail and above and below the lateral line.

All drainages north of, and including the Salmon River: Westslope cutthroat/rainbow hybrids show a red or orange slash under the jaw that is incomplete and faint in coloration.

Snake River Drainage: Yellowstone cutthroat/rainbow trout hybrids in the Snake River drainage are identified by the presence of white fin tips.

Illustration by Joseph Tomelleri.