In B.C., the coastal cutthroat occurs as three major life history forms — sea-run populations, freshwater-resident populations (lacustrine and fluvial) and headwater stream populations. Within each of these groups there are complex arrays of subtle, and not so subtle, life history variants. For example, although sea-run cutthroats typically return to freshwater to overwinter, in the Bella Coola system there was once a run of exceptionally large cutthroat that may have spent a year or more in the sea. This run now appears to be extinct. The complexity, and inter-and intra-population variation in coastal cutthroat life histories, presents a challenge to conservation managers. It will be difficult to maintain biodiversity in this subspecies. The “cutbows” in the upper Dean River should be studied. Unlike most of the hybridization between rainbows and cutthroats this population may be a natural hybrid swarm that has existed since before European colonization. If true, it could be genetically interesting.
Source: Information provided by Don McPhail for E-Fauna BC.
Eastern Pacific: northern parts of Prince William Sound, Alaska, south to the Eel River in northern California, USA and is found in most streams emptying into the Pacific. Widely introduced into various streams and lakes within its natural range, as well as into a few lakes in eastern North America. In some streams it may be the most numerous sport fish present, while other streams support only small populations. At least 14 subspecies have been historically recognized (Ref. 5723).
Source:
FishBase. Coad, B.W. 1995 Encyclopedia of Canadian fishes. Canadian Museum of Nature and Canadian Sportfishing Productions Inc. Singapore.
