The yellowfin cutthroat trout, now presumed extinct, once grew to over 10 lbs.
Extinction Is A Reality
The yellowfin cutthroat trout, first identified in Colorado in 1891, is now presumed extinct. Originally found near the headwaters of Colorado’s Arkansas River, the yellowfin cutthroat trout was wiped out when rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were introduced into its Twin Lakes home. The remaining native cutthroat trout species of the Southern Rockies (including Rio Grande, greenback, and Colorado River cutthroat) could suffer a similar fate without adequate protection of their dwindling populations and declining habitat.
Natural History
In early reports, the yellowfin cutthroat trout were described as “silvery olive; a broad lemon yellow shade along the sides, lower fins bright golden yellow in life, no red anywhere except the deep red dash on each side of the throat.” These native trout were obliterated around the turn of the twentieth century when introduced rainbow trout outcompeted them for food and habitat. These days, the only remaining yellowfin are museum specimens.
Conservation Status
PRESUMED EXTINCT
Action Taken
Center for Native Ecosystems works to protect high-quality cutthroat trout habitat in the Southern Rocky Mountains to ensure that the other native trout species of our region don’t follow in the footsteps of the yellowfin cutthroat.
