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Santa Fe National Forest Fisheries Program
Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout
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| Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout
The Rio Grande cutthroat trout is native to streams in the Rio
Grande Basin, including waters on the Santa Fe National Forest.
Rio Grande cutthroat trout is the State Fish of New Mexico and is
the only cutthroat trout native to the state. Yet, over the years,
the habitat has shrunk and the population has declined. The fish
is found in less than 7% of its historic range. The decline can
be attributed in part to the introduction of non-natives, such as
the German brown trout and
rainbow trout. This has recently
been complicated by the introduction of a devastating parasite which
causes whirling disease.
The Facts
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One of 14 subspecies of cutthroat trout native
to the western United States. |
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Occupies 150 miles of stream on the Santa Fe National Forest;
only 15% of its historical range. |
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According to U.S. Wildlife Service, 13 core populations
remain in the world. Core populations are the key to the survival
of the species. Four core populations resdie on the Santa
Fe National Forest. |
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Typically spawn between middle of May and the middle of
June. |
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Evolved in New Mexico as a member of a native fish assemblage
that included longnose dace, Rio Grande chub and Rio Grande
sucker. |
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Males are sexually mature at age 2; females at age 3; will
live on average of five years; in rare cases, cutthroat trout
have been known to enter their teens. |
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Feed opportunistically on aquatic insects and terrestrial
insects that fall into the water. |
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Unfortunately, Rio Grande Cutthroat trout can hybridize
with non-native rainbow trout, depleting the gene pool and
weakening the population. |
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Non-native German Brown Trout are piscivorous, which means
they eat other fish, including our native cutthroat trout. |
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