Fun Stuff for Kids: Cutthroat Trout Facts

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Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park

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Yellowstone Nat’l Park
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Photo by Alfredo De Simone

Yellowstone Lake, the largest alpine lake in North America, is the domain of the cutthroat trout. And while it has long been considered a great spot to fish there is more to this freshwater pool than angling. Rent a boat at Bridge Bay. Motor, paddle and row. Take a scenic boat tour. Relax, listen and learn. Take pause at Fishing Bridge. Cutthroat trout spawn at waters meet. Hike shoreline and wetland trails and, in addition to stretching your legs, keep an eye out for grizzly, moose and trumpeter swans. Visit Lake Village, situated at the palm of Yellowstone Lake's 3-fingered hand, and take a trip in time. Not only was this spot once favored by Native Americans and mountain men the hotels at Lake Village are landmarks in Yellowstone history. Relax on the porch at Lake Lodge and take in the breathtaking grandeur of Absaroka framed blue. But don't try to do it in all one day. Yellowstone Lake is 110 miles round and 136 square miles in size.

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Cutthroat Trout Facts

Cutthroat Trout

U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service

There are lots of fun facts about cutthroat trout. Did you know that:

The cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarki, is a member of the Salmonidae family of ray-finned fish.
Cutthroat trout are either yellow or silver in color and have small, black spots on their bodies and fins.
The cutthroat trout gets its name from the colored streaks on the underside of its jaw.
Cutthroat trout are a freshwater fish that live in the clear, cold rivers, lakes and ponds of western North America.
There are 13 species of cutthroat trout; most are named for the body of water they inhabit.
The cutthroat trout spawns in rivers and streams. Unlike its cousins Pacific and Atlantic salmon, cutthroat spawn more than once before expiring.
Cutthroat trout strike at flies, baits and lures and are considered a game fish.
The cutthroat trout feeds on aquatic insects, primarily. But because they will eat whatever they find - zooplankton and even other fish - cutthroat trout are considered opportunistic feeders.
Most species of cutthroat trout are either threatened or endangered.