The Cut-throat Trout 



The silver trout of Lake Tahoe and the yellow-firmed trout of 

 Twin Lakes probably spawn in deeper water. 



The cut-throat trout and its different derived forms vary greatly 

 in the sizes at which they reach maturity, the chief factors being, of 

 course, the size of the body of water they inhabit and the amount 

 of the food supply. 



Those species or individuals, dwelling in lakes of considerable 

 size where the water is of such temperature and depth as insure an 

 ample food-supply, will reach a large size, while those in a restricted 

 environment where both the water and food are limited, will be small 

 directly in proportion to these environing restrictions. The trout of 

 the Klamath Lakes, for example, reach a weight of at least 17 pounds, 

 while in Fish Lake in Idaho mature trout do not exceed 8 to 9^ inches 

 in total length or one-fourth pound in weight. In small creeks in the 

 Sawtooth Mountains and elsewhere they reach maturity at a length 

 of 5 or 6 inches, and are often spoken of as brook trout under the 

 impression that they are a species different from the larger ones found 

 in the lakes and larger streams. But as all sorts of gradations 

 between these extreme forms may be found in the intervening and 

 connecting waters the differences have not even subspecific significance. 



The various forms of cut-throat trout vary greatly in game 

 qualities; even the same species in different waters, in different 

 parts of its habitat, or at different seasons, will vary greatly in this 

 regard. In general, however, it is perhaps a fair statement to say 

 that the cut-throat trout are regarded by anglers as being inferior in 

 gaminess to the eastern brook trout. But while this is true, it must 

 not by any means be inferred that it is without game qualities, for it 

 is really a fish which possesses those qualities in a very high degree. 

 Its vigour and voraciousness are determined largely, of course, by 

 the character of the stream or lake in which it lives. The individuals 

 which dwell in cold streams about cascades and seething rapids 

 will show marvellous strength and will make a fight which is rarely 

 equalled by its eastern cousin; while in warmer and larger streams 

 and lakes they may be very sluggish and show but little fight. Yet 

 this is by no means always true. In the Klamath Lakes where the 

 trout grow very large and where they are often very loggy, one 

 is occasionally hooked which tries to the utmost the skill of the angler 

 to prevent his tackle from being smashed and at the same time save 

 the fish. An instance is on record of a most enthusiastic and skilful 

 angler who required one hour and three-quarters to bring to net 



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