Successful Out-of-Season Spawning of Westlope Cutthroat Trout Males

Abstract

The present range of westslope cutthroat trout (Onchorhynchus clarki lewisi) is greatly reduced compared to the historic distribution of the subspecies. Degradation of the environment and competition with introduced species are considered major causes of the reduction (Liknes and Graham 1988). In response to declining populations of wests lope cutthroat trout across Montana, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks developed a captive broodstock in the early 1980s to assist in conservation and restoration efforts. The broodstock is held at the Washoe Park trout hatchery in Anaconda, Montana.