Paiute Cutthroat Trout: Status

Oncorhynchus clarkii seleniris

The Paiute cutthroat trout is a federally listed Threatened Species. The only populations of Paiute trout in the Silver King Creek basin now exist upstream of their native range, isolated from non-native trout by barrier waterfalls. Chemical treatments using rotenone, conducted over the past 4 decades by CDFW, have successfully restored populations of Paiute cutthroat trout to the headwaters of Silver King Creek by removing the influence of non-native trout. Paiute cutthroat trout in the Silver King basin headwater populations have recovered to the anticipated levels of abundance. However, more restoration work is needed to secure Paiute cutthroat trout populations.