The Utah Cutthroat Slam is an incentive program for anglers to catch each of Utah’s native cutthroat trout; Bear River, Bonneville, Colorado River, and Yellowstone.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Utah Trout Unlimited launched the slam in 2016 as a challenge for anglers and as a way to raise funds for cutthroat trout conservation and outreach.
To successfully complete the slam and receive a medallion, anglers must catch Utah’s four native subspecies of cutthroat trout in their native ranges.
The original medallion was awarded to the first 1,000 anglers to complete the slam, a milestone that was reached in September 2022.
In 2022, the partners of the slam announced a new series of four medallions that anglers can earn when completing the slam; one for each of the cutthroat trout subspecies.
Cutthroat trout are the only trout native to Utah and much of the Rocky Mountain region. The Bear River, Bonneville, Colorado River, and Yellowstone cutthroat trout are found in waterways throughout Utah.
Cutthroat Trout Decline and Restoration
In the last century, cutthroat trout in Utah faced threats from habitat loss and fragmentation, decreased water quality, introductions of non-native species, and overharvesting.
By the 1960s, cutthroat populations greatly reduced from historic levels. Eventually, stakeholders began to take interest in protecting native trout in the state.
Before restoration efforts got underway, state biologists estimated the number of remaining cutthroat trout. During the early stages, it was unclear if a genetically pure population of Bonneville cutthroat existed.
Eventually, populations of all 4 cutthroats were identified and broodstock was obtained in order to produce young trout for stocking.
After decades of conservation efforts, Utah cutthroat subspecies have rebounded. Restoration work was supported in part by Sport Fish Restoration funds, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Funding from the Utah Cutthroat Slam program helps to maintain healthy fisheries in the state.
Utah Cutthroat Trout Stocking
State biologists continue to collect eggs and milt from Utah’s wild cutthroat to raise in state hatcheries and release back into waterways.
The state operates seven fish traps, allowing biologists to collect, fertilize, and transport eggs while also releasing the captured adult trout back into the wild.
Utah continues to produce around 2 million cutthroats annually, stocking them into 300 water bodies around the state.
sources: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, USFWS Summer 2025 Fish & Wildlife News
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