City of Logan, Cache County
In celebration of the
Bear River Cutthroat
The Bear River cutthroat trout is a native fish with a unique biological history that many residents and anglers in Cache County are familiar with. These beautiful trout inhabit several rivers and tributaries near Logan, including the Logan River, Blacksmith Fork, and the Bear River itself. Known for their voracious appetites, Bear River cutthroats can grow to impressive sizes in their lake-dwelling form, earning them the nickname "Bear Lake cutthroat trout." Their piscivorous nature allows them to play a vital role in controlling invasive Utah chub populations in some of Utah’s lakes. When in their lake-dwelling state, they exhibit a distinct appearance, featuring a silvery, bluish body and bright orange fins, which has led to their affectionate nickname, “bluenose trout.”
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Research indicates that Bear River cutthroats are a distinct subspecies, yet the broader scientific community often classifies them with Bonneville cutthroat trout. This classification is likely due to the Bear River’s termination in the Great Salt Lake within the Bonneville Basin, suggesting a familial relationship with Bonneville cutthroats. However, these fish have evolved along a separate trajectory. Over 20,000 years ago, volcanic activity altered the Bear River’s course, redirecting its waters from the Snake River to the Great Salt Lake. As a result, Bear River cutthroats are genetically closer to the Yellowstone cutthroat trout native to the Snake River drainage. There is hope that one day these unique trout will receive their own scientific designation, as they currently lack one.
Bear River Cutthroat Trout
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The Bear River Cutthroat is native to the Bear River watershed in the Bonneville basin of Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming. They are opportunistic feeders, preying on what is available.
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As recently as the late 1970s, a lack of information on the status of Cutthroat in the Bonneville basin led many to believe that both the Bonneville and Bear River Cutthroat Trout were extinct!
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Fortunately, the Bear River Cutthroat has managed to persist, but at the time of its rediscovery, they were relegated to a small fraction of their native range. The Bear River Cutthroat's decline resulted from multiple factors, including over-fishing, the introduction of nonnative fish, and habitat loss and degradation.
Experience Bear River Cutthroat!
Photo courtesy of Utah Cutthroat Slam
The Utah Cutthroat Slam is a challenge to catch, photograph and release at least 1 of each of Utah’s 4 cutthroat trout subspecies in their native waters. Register at their website to start the challenge!
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