Body Type: The iconic trout of the American West — a medium to large Cutthroat with the distinctive red-orange slash marks under the jaw. The body is yellowish to golden with small, evenly distributed black spots concentrated toward the tail. The coloring is cleaner and less heavily spotted than most other Cutthroat subspecies.
Preferred Water Temperature: 50°F–65°F. Adapted to the cold geothermally influenced waters of the Yellowstone Plateau. Spawn in spring as water temperatures rise to 42°F–50°F.
Habitat: Native to the Yellowstone River drainage above Yellowstone Falls, including Yellowstone Lake. The only trout native to Yellowstone National Park. Also stocked widely throughout the Rocky Mountain states. Prefer clear, cold streams and lakes with gravel spawning beds.
Best Lures: Small dry flies are the iconic approach in Yellowstone — attractors like the Royal Wulff and Elk Hair Caddis produce outstanding results. Nymphs (Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tail) are highly effective. Small inline spinners work for spin anglers. Small spoons produce in Yellowstone Lake.
Best Baits: Note — bait fishing is prohibited in most Yellowstone National Park waters. In waters where legal, nightcrawlers and salmon eggs are effective. Small minnows produce in non-Park waters.
Size & Weight: Typical fish run 12–18 inches and 1–3 lbs. Yellowstone Lake fish reach 22+ inches and 5+ lbs. World record Yellowstone Cutthroat: 11 lbs from various waters.
Top 5 Places to Catch Yellowstone Cutthroat:
1. Yellowstone National Park — iconic dry fly fishing in stunning scenery
2. Yellowstone Lake — outstanding numbers of 16–22 inch fish
3. Buffalo Ford (Nez Perce Ford) — world-famous sight fishing location
4. Firehole River — unique geothermally influenced trout stream
5. Snake River, Wyoming — large wild Cutthroat below Jackson Lake
The iconic trout of the American West — a medium to large Cutthroat with the distinctive red-orange slash marks under the jaw. The body is yellowish to golden with small, evenly distributed black spots concentrated toward the tail. The coloring is cleaner and less heavily spotted than most other Cutthroat subspecies.
Habitat
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Native to the Yellowstone River drainage above Yellowstone Falls, including Yellowstone Lake. The only trout native to Yellowstone National Park. Also stocked widely throughout the Rocky Mountain states. Prefer clear, cold streams and lakes with gravel spawning beds.
Water Conditions
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50°F–65°F. Adapted to the cold geothermally influenced waters of the Yellowstone Plateau. Spawn in spring as water temperatures rise to 42°F–50°F.
Tackle & Bait
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Best Lures:
Small dry flies are the iconic approach in Yellowstone — attractors like the Royal Wulff and Elk Hair Caddis produce outstanding results. Nymphs (Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tail) are highly effective. Small inline spinners work for spin anglers. Small spoons produce in Yellowstone Lake.
Best Baits:
Note — bait fishing is prohibited in most Yellowstone National Park waters. In waters where legal, nightcrawlers and salmon eggs are effective. Small minnows produce in non-Park waters.
Top Fishing Locations
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Filter by State:
60 fishing locations where you can catch Yellowstone Cutthroat
Filer Pond
🏞️ Freshwater
Filer, ID
Pebble Creek
🏞️ Freshwater
Bancroft, ID
Twentyfout Mile Creek Reservoir #1
🏞️ Freshwater
Soda Springs, ID
Lake Creek
🏞️ Freshwater
Cluster County, Idaho
North Fork Big Lost River
🏞️ Freshwater
Cluster County, Idaho
Star Hope Creek
🏞️ Freshwater
Cluster County, Idaho
Abundance Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Park County, Montana
Albino Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Gallatin County, Montana
Alpine Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Sweet Grass County, Montana
Anvil Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Carbon County, Montana
Axolotl Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Madison County, Montana
Fritter Lake
🌊 Saltwater
Carbon County, Montana
Fulcrum Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Park County, Montana
George Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Park County, Montana
Glenwood Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Elkhorn, Montana
Golden Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Carbon County, Montana
Gorge Lake North
🏞️ Freshwater
Elkhorn, Montana
Great Falls Creek Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Park County, Montana
Greenough Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Richel Lodge, Montana
Hairpin Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Carbon County, Montana
Heather Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Kotke, Montana
Hilgard Lake
🌊 Saltwater
Madison County, Montana
Homestake Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Homestake, Montana
Horseshoe Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Ferndale, Montana
Island Lake (Stillwater County)
🏞️ Freshwater
Dean, Montana
Jackson Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Madison County, Montana
Jasper Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Carbon County, Montana
Kolar Reservoir 2
🏞️ Freshwater
Geyser, Montana
Kookoo Lake
🌊 Saltwater
Carbon County, Montana
Lady of the Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Madison County, Montana
Lake Cameron
🏞️ Freshwater
Big Sky, Montana
Lake Como
🏞️ Freshwater
Darby, Montana
Lake Elmo
🏞️ Freshwater
Billings, Montana
Lake Ha Hand
🏞️ Freshwater
Madison County, Montana
Lake of the Winds
🏞️ Freshwater
Carbon County, Montana
Laurel Pond
🏞️ Freshwater
Laurel, Montana
Leaky Raft Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Park County, Montana
Leslie Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Elkhorn, Montana
Line Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Carbon County, Montana
Link Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Flathead County, Montana
Little Arch Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Stillwater County, Montana
Looking Glass Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Park County, Montana
Lost Cabin Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Leiterville, Montana
Lost Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Stillwater County, Montana
Louise Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Leiterville, Montana
Lower Storm Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Stillwater County, Montana
Lower Storm Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Stillwater County, Montana
Lupine Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Madison County, Montana
Lupine Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Flathead County, Montana
Maney Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Jefferson County, Montana
Margaret Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Cooke City, Montana
Margo Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Madison County, Montana
Marker Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Carbon County, Montana
Marsh Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Park County, Montana
Martes Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Sweetgrass County, Montana
Mckelvey Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Madison County, Montana
Medicine Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Carbon County, Montana
Moon Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Carbon County, Montana
Mountain Goat Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Carbon County, Montana
Mouse Lake
🏞️ Freshwater
Sweet Grass County, Montana
From the Angler's Guide
1. Yellowstone National Park — iconic dry fly fishing in stunning scenery
2. Yellowstone Lake — outstanding numbers of 16–22 inch fish
3. Buffalo Ford (Nez Perce Ford) — world-famous sight fishing location
4. Firehole River — unique geothermally influenced trout stream
5. Snake River, Wyoming — large wild Cutthroat below Jackson Lake
Size & Sport
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Typical fish run 12–18 inches and 1–3 lbs. Yellowstone Lake fish reach 22+ inches and 5+ lbs. World record Yellowstone Cutthroat: 11 lbs from various waters.