Identification
Large, scattered spots often become more concentrated toward the tail. Lake-dwelling fish may have a faint, yellowish or absent throat slash, so the familiar red cutthroat mark is not always obvious. Orange pelvic and anal fins and few head spots are useful clues.
Size and Weight
Utah lists a 31-inch Bear Lake Cutthroat caught and released in 2021. Idaho also documents Roger Grunig’s 18.94-pound Bear Lake trout from 1970, formerly its general cutthroat certified-weight record. These are separate documented regional records, not measurements of one fish or proof of an absolute biological limit. Small-stream fish are much smaller.
Habitat and Natural Food
The Bear River system supports stream residents as well as fish using larger waters. Bear Lake fish can grow large on a fish-rich food supply. Maintaining passage between feeding areas and spawning tributaries is an important part of regional restoration.
Bait and Fishing Methods
Agency fishing accounts support trolling silver spoons and minnow-shaped plugs for lake-dwelling cutthroat. Depth and presentation need to follow season and fish location; a productive lake technique does not describe every small-stream fishery. Check the current water-specific rules, including provisions distinguishing hatchery and wild fish, before retaining a trout.
A Cutthroat Without a Bright Red Throat
Bear Lake fish can have a yellowish, gray or barely visible jaw marking. Look at the fins, spotting pattern and overall appearance together rather than rejecting a cutthroat identification because the throat is not crimson.
All Lakes With Bear River Cutthroat Trout
Browse all lakes and reservoirs with confirmed Bear River Cutthroat Trout records in our database, listed alphabetically.
Showing 1–24 of 33 lakes · Page 1 of 2
- Alcova Reservoir Natrona, WY
- Bear Lake Rich, UT
- Beulah Belle Lake Natrona, WY
- Bosler Reservoir Carbon, WY
- Boysen Reservoir Fremont, WY
- Burlington Lake Natrona, WY
- Devil Creek Reservoir Oneida, ID
- Dome Rock Reservoir Carbon, WY
- Flaming Gorge Reservoir Daggett, UT
- Fontenelle Reservoir Lincoln, WY
- Glacier Lakes Albany, WY
- Hanging Lake Albany, WY
- Lake Alice Lincoln, WY
- Lake De Smet Johnson, WY
- Lake Hattie Reservoir Albany, WY
- Little Brooklyn Lake Albany, WY
- Lookout Lake Albany, WY
- Lost Lake Albany, WY
- Mac Leod Lake Teton, WY
- Montpelier Reservoir Bear Lake, ID
- Murray Reservoir Uinta, WY
- Pathfinder Reservoir Carbon, WY
- Post Lake Albany, WY
- Seminoe Reservoir Carbon, WY