Westslope Cutthroat Trout
(Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi)
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
Westslope cutthroat trout are found in
the Kootenai watershed, the Clark
Fork watershed, and the headwaters of the
Missouri and Saskatchewan Rivers. Spawning
streams tend to be cold and nutrient poor,
with gravel substrate in riffl es and pool crests.
Conservation concerns include: habitat loss
due to poor natural resource use practices,
residential development and impacts of
forest roads; and increased hybridization
with other species. Conservation strategies
include: conserving habitat, including better
natural resource use practices; continuing to
conserve genetically pure populations; and
increasing stock populations of genetically
pure westslope cutthroat trout.
