Greenback Cutthroat Trout

Body Type: Colorado's state fish and a recovered conservation success story. The body is heavily spotted with large, irregular black spots that are more numerous and larger than other Cutthroat subspecies. The back is dark olive-green (giving it its name) with a pale gold to yellow lateral color and vivid red-orange slash marks. A beautiful and distinctive trout.

Preferred Water Temperature: 48°F–62°F. Native to the Arkansas and South Platte River drainages of Colorado's Front Range at elevations above 8,000 feet.

Habitat: Small, cold headwater streams and alpine lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Pike-San Isabel National Forest, and adjacent wilderness areas. Once thought extinct, recovered through decades of intensive restoration work. Now found in dozens of stream miles and several alpine lakes. Check regulations carefully.

Best Lures: Small dry flies are the classic approach — fish visually to rising fish in clear pools. Nymphs produce in runs and riffles. Small inline spinners work for spin anglers. Tiny spoons and floating Rapalas produce in alpine lakes.

Best Baits: Many Greenback Cutthroat waters are catch-and-release, fly and lure only. Where bait is permitted, small nightcrawlers and salmon eggs produce. Always check current regulations.

Size & Weight: Stream fish typically 8–12 inches. Alpine lake fish reach 14–18 inches and 1–3 lbs. Trophy fish in select locations reach 5+ lbs.

Top 5 Places to Catch Greenback Cutthroat Trout: 1. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado — managed restoration waters 2. Cascade Creek, Colorado — good accessible population 3. Bear Creek, Colorado — Front Range restoration stream 4. Cache la Poudre River headwaters, Colorado — wild fish 5. St. Vrain Creek headwaters, Colorado — excellent restoration work

Colorado's state fish and a recovered conservation success story. The body is heavily spotted with large, irregular black spots that are more numerous and larger than other Cutthroat subspecies. The back is dark olive-green (giving it its name) with a pale gold to yellow lateral color and vivid red-orange slash marks. A beautiful and distinctive trout.

Small, cold headwater streams and alpine lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Pike-San Isabel National Forest, and adjacent wilderness areas. Once thought extinct, recovered through decades of intensive restoration work. Now found in dozens of stream miles and several alpine lakes. Check regulations carefully.

48°F–62°F. Native to the Arkansas and South Platte River drainages of Colorado's Front Range at elevations above 8,000 feet.

Best Lures: Small dry flies are the classic approach — fish visually to rising fish in clear pools. Nymphs produce in runs and riffles. Small inline spinners work for spin anglers. Tiny spoons and floating Rapalas produce in alpine lakes. Best Baits: Many Greenback Cutthroat waters are catch-and-release, fly and lure only. Where bait is permitted, small nightcrawlers and salmon eggs produce. Always check current regulations.

1 fishing location where you can catch Greenback Cutthroat Trout

Stream fish typically 8–12 inches. Alpine lake fish reach 14–18 inches and 1–3 lbs. Trophy fish in select locations reach 5+ lbs.