Oncorhynchus virginalis utah*

The Bear River/Bear Lake Cutthroat Trout is a fascinating subspecies with a unique evolutionary history. Although the Bear River now terminates in the Great Salt Lake within the Bonneville Basin, these cutthroat evolved independently from the basin’s native Bonneville cutthroat trout.

Geological evidence suggests that about 20,000 years ago, volcanic activity rerouted the Bear River, which originally drained into the Snake River to the north. DNA studies confirm this, showing that Bear River cutthroat trout are closely related to and descended from Yellowstone cutthroat, the native trout of the Snake River drainage.

For a time, overfishing was thought to have driven the Bear Lake cutthroat trout to extinction in Bear Lake, leaving only non-native species in its waters. However, conservation efforts starting in the 1960s and hatchery programs initiated in the 1970s enabled this trout to make an impressive recovery in both the lake and its tributaries.

Bear Lake cutthroat trout are known for their voracious appetites and impressive size. As piscivores (fish-eaters), they have been introduced to lakes outside their native range to control invasive Utah chub populations, with notable success in Strawberry Reservoir. However, for Slam purposes, only cutthroat caught within their historic native range are eligible. This means fish from Strawberry Reservoir and its tributaries cannot count toward your slam.

*Despite often being grouped by many agencies with Bonneville cutthroat trout because they now share the same watershed, Bear River cutthroat are genetically distinct. Their unique evolutionary history may eventually warrant their own trinomial scientific name.

To zoom in, open dialogue and click on “Bear River Cutthroat Trout”

Bear River cutthroat trout (BRCT) are native to the Bear River and its tributaries, including Bear Lake. While the Bear River terminates in the Bonneville Basin, these cutthroat trout have evolved on a separate path from other Bonneville cutthroat trout because of a historic stream capture of the Bear River from the Snake River to the Bonneville Basin. This native cutthroat trout subspecies remains abundant and additional pure populations are being protected/restored in Rich County through chemical restoration projects. While the Weber River (including the Ogden River) is not in the Bear River Drainage, the Bonneville cutthroat trout in these drainages historically mixed with Bear River cutthroat trout and cutthroat trout angled in these drainages can count toward either the Bear River or Bonneville cutthroat trout catch, BUT NOT BOTH. FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU CLAIM A BEAR RIVER CUTTHROAT TROUT CATCH FROM THE WEBER RIVER, THEN YOU NEED TO CATCH A BONNEVILLE CUTTHROAT TROUT FROM A DIFFERENT DRAINAGE AND VICE VERSA. Any cutthroat trout caught while angling streams in the Utah portion of the Bear River and Weber River (including the Ogden River) drainages will be accepted as BRCT for the Utah Native Cutthroat Slam. Some headwater lakes in the Bear River have been historically stocked with non-native cutthroat trout. If you wish to angle BRCT from any headwater lakes, check with the Northern Region UDWR Office (801-476-2740) for a list of lakes containing native BRCT. The following areas/streams will provide the best opportunities to catch native Bear River cutthroat trout in Utah:

Upper Bear River: This is the headwater portion of the Bear River, including its major tributaries: East Fork, West Fork, Stillwater Fork, Hayden Fork, and Mill Creek. The majority of this area lies on the Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest and is easily accessible.

Rich County:

1. Woodruff Creek Reservoir. This reservoir contains a strong population of native BRCT that can be caught from the shore or from a small boat. The boat ramp at Woodruff Creek Reservoir is rudimentary and the launching of anything but smaller boats is discouraged.

2. Big Creek. A strong population of BRCT remains in the headwaters of Big Creek, however portions of this stream are privately owned so please respect private property. Big Creek was treated chemically in 2018-2019 to remove nonnative brook trout and the BRCT population is still rebuilding; please contact the Northern Region UDWR Office (801-476-2740) for BRCT fishing opportunities in this stream.

3. Otter Creek (all three headwater forks). This stream was chemically restored to native BRCT during 2015-2016. Please contact the Northern Region UDWR Office (801-476-2740) for BRCT fishing opportunities in this stream.

4. Bear Lake. Bear Lake is being managed to provide a trophy BRCT fishery and angling opportunities for large BRCT are available year-round. Special fishing regulations are present on Bear Lake so check the Fishing Guidebook before planning a trip. Up to date fishing reports are available from the Bear Lake UDWR Field Station at 385-835-1104.

Cache County:

1. Logan River. The Logan River in Logan Canyon (upstream from 3rd dam to the headwaters) is managed for native BRCT. The majority of the Logan River upstream from 3rd Dam is on the Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest. The densities of BRCT are strong in the Logan River and its tributaries making this a great destination to catch a pure, native BRCT. Special fishing regulations are present in the Logan River so check the Fishing Guidebook before planning a trip.

2. Blacksmith Fork River. A small population of BRCT remains in the Blacksmith Fork River. The Left Hand Fork, Rock Creek, and Curtis Creek, all tributaries of the Blacksmith Fork, contain larger populations of native BRCT.

Weber and Ogden Rivers: Special fishing regulations are present in portions of the Weber River Drainage so check the Fishing Guidebook before planning a trip.

1. Weber River from the confluence with the Ogden River upstream to Echo Dam is managed by the UDWR for native cutthroat trout (Bear River/Bonneville cutthroat trout). Land on the Weber is primarily privately owned but there are several points of public access through the Walk-In Access program.

2. Weber River and its tributaries from the town of Oakley, UT upstream to the headwaters is managed by the UDWR for native cutthroat trout (Bear River/Bonneville cutthroat trout).

3. Beaver Creek (upstream from Kamas) is managed by the UDWR for native cutthroat trout (Bear River/Bonneville cutthroat trout).

4. South Fork of the Ogden River is managed by the UDWR for native cutthroat trout (Bear River/Bonneville cutthroat trout).

5. Wheeler Creek. Angling conditions can be tough as Wheeler Creek is a small, brushy stream and is managed by the UDWR for native cutthroat trout (Bear River/Bonneville cutthroat trout).

6. Wolf Creek. Angling conditions can be tough as Wolf Creek is a small, brushy stream and is managed by the UDWR for native cutthroat trout (Bear River/Bonneville cutthroat trout).