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Idaho State Fish

Cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii Adopted:April 5, 1990
Idaho State Fish: Cutthroat trout
Idaho State Fish: Cutthroat trout
Courtesy United States Geological Survey

Adoption of the Idaho State Fish

The cutthroat trout was adopted as "state fish of the state of Idaho” by the 42nd Idaho Legislature and approved by Governor Cecil Andrus on April 5, 1990.

Impetus for the bill naming an official state fish was provided by a group of fourth-graders from Kuna, Idaho with their teacher Jim Killet leading the way. Mr. Killet introduced a study unit that required dissection of a fish, anatomical diagrams and research. Or, as Mr. Killet put it,

“We had a unit. We cut the fish up and we examined the internal parts of fish and we studied all the anatomy of a fish and the diagrams of fish. It was a wonderful unit. Then the culminating aspect, of course, at that time was to present the bill to the Idaho state legislature. 1”

Primary reasons given for adopting the cutthroat trout as Idaho’s state fish:

  • The cutthroat trout can well represent all Idaho waters and anglers.
  • The fish is native to the state.
  • A key resource to early settlers, it was an important part of the states’ natural heritage.
  • The cutthroat trout’s sensitivity to changing and degraded environments and its value as a sport fish make it a barometer for the quality of life in Idaho.
  • Declines in numbers of fish reflect problems in natural environments and resource management. The adoption as an official state fish can help raise public awareness about these problems.

AN ACT,

RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF A STATE FISH; PROVIDING LEGISLATIVE INTENT; AMENDING CHAPTER 45, TITLE 67, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 67 4508, IDAHO CODE, TO DESIGNATE THE CUTTHROAT TROUT AS THE STATE FISH.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:

SECTION 1. It is the sense of the legislature that the Cutthroat trout is the fish best representing all Idaho waters and anglers. The Cutthroat trout's historic significance as the first of the salmon or trout in Idaho and as a key resource for early Idahoans makes this fish an important part of Idaho's natural heritage. This fish's sensitivity to changing and degraded environments and its value as a sport fish for Idaho anglers makes it an ideal barometer for the quality of life. Dramatic declines in recent history highlight problems in natural environments and resource management. Recognition as the state fish can help build the public awareness and support necessary for thoughtful use of our aquatic habitats and all associated resources. Cutthroat trout can be a symbol of Idaho's natural heritage and high quality environment.

SECTION 2. That Chapter 45, Title 67, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby amended by the addition thereto of a NEW SECTION, to be known and designated as Section 67 4508, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:

67 4508. STATE FISH DESIGNATED. The Cutthroat trout is designated and declared to be the state fish of the state of Idaho.

Approved April 5, 1990.

No particular species of cutthroat trout is specified in the legislation. There are three subspecies of cutthroat trout native to Idaho and all three can be considered official state fish.

All three subspecies, native to the lakes and streams of Idaho, display the red slash marks just below their gill covers on the lower jaws. These markings give the cutthroat trout its name.

Native to Idaho

  • Bonneville cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii utah) including the Bear Lake variation.
  • Westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi).
  • Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) including the Snake River fine spotted variation.

The scientific name for the cutthroat trout, Oncorhynchus clarkii, references Captain William Clark, who first offered a detailed description of the cutthroat trout of the Columbia River. His expedition partner, Meriwether Lewis had also encountered cutthroats near Montana’s great falls on the Missouri river. Meriwether Lewis was recognized with the scientific name for the Westslope trout, Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi .

1 As reported in the Idaho Fish and Game News Release, From Lesson to Legacy: Cutthroat Plate, of May 6, 2003.

The Idaho Statutes

The following information is excerpted from the Idaho Statutes, Title 67, Chapter 45, Section 67-4508.

TITLE 67 - STATE GOVERNMENT AND STATE AFFAIRS.
CHAPTER 45 - STATE SYMBOLS.
SECTION 67-4508.

67-4508. STATE FISH DESIGNATED. The Cutthroat trout is designated and declared to be the state fish of the state of Idaho.

Additional Information

Idaho State Fish: Cutthroat Trout
Cutthroat trout: Idaho state fish

Cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii: Information about the cutthroat trout from the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology's Animal Diversity Web.

Fishing in Idaho: Website of the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki: Description, life history, feeding habits, and angling techniques from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

Cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii: Description from the National Wildlife Foundation's eNature.com.

List of State Fish: Complete listing of official state fish from NETSTATE.

Trout Unlimited's Guide to America's 100 Best Trout Streams: by John Ross. Updated and revised. Paperback: 384 pages. Publisher: The Lyons Press; Rev Upd edition (June 1, 2005)

State Names, Seals, Flags, and Symbols: A Historical Guide, Third Edition - Benjamin F. Shearer and Barbara S. Shearer, Greenwood Press, 2002

State Names, Flags, Seals, Songs, Birds, Flowers and Other Symbols: A Study based on historical documents giving the origin and significance of the state names, nicknames, mottoes, seals, flowers, birds, songs, and descriptive comments on the capitol buildings and on some of the leading state histories, Revised Edition - George Earlie Shankle, Ph.D., The H.W. Wilson Company, 1938 (Reprint Services Corp. 1971)

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Source: Idaho Statutes, (http://www3.state.id.us/idstat/TOC/idstTOC.html), April 14, 2007.
Source: Idaho State Legislature, (http://www.legislature.idaho.gov/), April 19, 2007.
Source: University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web, (http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Oncorhynchus_clarkii.html), April 14, 2007.
Source: Idaho Department of Fish and Game, (http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/), April 19, 2007.
 

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