Puget Sound
Neighbors
Meet
the Coastal Cutthroat
(Salmo clarki clarki)
Named
for the red or orange marks found along the inner edge of the lower jar, Coastal
Cutthroat trout rarely reach the weight of four pounds – a far cry from their
land-locked relatives who sometime top the scale above 40 pounds. Coastal Cutthroat
begin their lives in small to medium-sized streams. Spending two years living
in freshwater means they rely on us to keep their waters clean and healthy.
After two years, Coastal Cutthroat migrate into the estuaries and nearshore
waters of Puget Sound where they grow to maturity in a year or two. Once mature
they return to their homewaters to spawn. Unlike salmon, Coastal Cutthroat trout
live to spawn again, living up to 9 years total. An aggressive feeder, adult
Coastal Cutthroat prey on shrimp, sand lances, sculpins, and other shallow water
creatures. Its scientific name is a tribute to Captain William Clark of the
Lewis and Clark expedition. Helping keep Puget Sound streams and nearshore waters
healthy is a tribute to both Captain Clark and to Coastal Cutthroat trout.
Drawing and information
from:
Max McDermott
West Sound Academy
