Fisheries Resources and Species Management

Resources Overview | Paiute Cutthroat: Angling, History, Restoration, Status, Environmental Documents

Paiute Cutthroat Trout (native)

Oncorhynchus clarki seleniris

Silver King Creek, Carson-Iceberg Wilderness Area in Alpine County, is the native range of one of the rarest trout subspecies, the Paiute cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarki seleniris. The California Department of Fish and Game has been working towards the goal of protecting and restoring the Paiute cutthroat trout for over 50 years. Paiute cutthroat trout are closely related to the Lahontan cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi, and are distinguished by their almost complete lack of body spotting and iridescent purplish hue body coloration. It is the only western trout that consistently has no obvious spots on the body. Paiute trout have no body spots, but do have parr marks, which are occasionally seen even on adult fish. Parr marks are oval or oblong markings along the side of the body of most trout.