Greenback Cutthroat Trout
Back from the brink of extinction

This gorgeous Greenback Cutthroat trout is one of two surviving native trout species in Colorado, and most of the credit is due to the efforts of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado DOW, and Trout Unlimited.  But one significant positive change that has helped increase Greenback populations is due to Catch & Release fishing.

Here is a short history of what happened.  In the late 1800's, other species of trout were planted in the lakes and streams to increase sport fishing opportunities, and these non-native species began to displace the Greenback Cutthroat Trout.  By 1900, market hunting and fishing also began to take its toll on fish and game populations, and by 1937 it was thought that the Greenback might be extinct. 

Fortunately, a few very remote alpine lakes were found to hold pure strains of Greenbacks, and the decision was made to remove non-native trout from several lakes and streams in Rocky Mountain National Park, then reintroduce pure strains of Greenbacks. 

Today, Greenback Cutthroat Trout have been removed from the Endangered Species list and they can be found in many of the East Slope streams and lakes of the Park, but they are still "Threatened".  It is important that we all take special care when fishing for our native fish, and handle them carefully when fishing.

The process of removing non-native trout is only partly complete and the Park Service is seeking public opinion on whether all of the waters in the Park should contain only native fishes, or whether the fishery should be managed for sport fishing and leave the non-native trout in the Park for consumption. 

Click here to link to the Park Service management plan.

We encourage you to send in your comments about managing the fishery in Rocky Mountain National Park, write to:   romo_superintendent@nps.gov

If you'd like to take a guided fly fishing trip to catch native Greenback Cutthroat Trout, contact Wild Basin Outfitters at 877-525-7373 or email us at info@wildbasinoutfitters.com.