Westslope Cutthroat Trout in Washington
Where westslope cutthroat trout live in Washington, with the rules.
- 2 dailylimit
- 4.71 lbsrecord
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A Washington profile of westslope cutthroat trout
Find westslope cutthroat trout in the Evergreen State freshwater table at the entry "Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout, Tiger Trout, and Grayling". What it says, quoted: In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds: Min. size 8". Daily limit 2.
The record book shows 4.71 lbs from Abernathy Lake, Okanogan County (2006), caught by Angus Kerr. 32 Washington water pages here list the fish, Yakima River, Methow River and Wenatchee River first. The Special Rules tables name it for 311 waters. Taxonomists file it as Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi.
For the cutthroat trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 The statewide line on westslope cutthroat trout
| Pamphlet row | Waters | Limit as printed | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout, Tiger Trout, and Gray | rivers, streams, and beaver ponds | In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds: Min. size 8". Daily limit 2. | Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 (statewide river season, p.23) |
| Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Golden Trout, Tiger Trout, and Gray | lakes, ponds, and reservoirs | In lakes, ponds, and reservoirs: No min. size. Daily limit 5. | Year-round (statewide lake season, p.23) |
Limits and seasons as printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), PDF page 27 (pamphlet PDF; eRegulations statewide freshwater page), read October 31, 2026.
westslope cutthroat trout in the marine chapters
- Marine Area 1marine area 1
- Marine Area 2, Marine Area 2-1, Marine Area 2-2marine area 2
- Marine Area 3marine area 3
- Marine Area 4marine area 4
- Marine Area 5marine area 5
- Marine Area 6marine area 6
- Marine Area 7marine area 7
- Marine Area 8-1, Marine Area 8-2marine area 8
- Marine Area 9marine area 9
- Marine Area 10marine area 10
- Marine Area 11marine area 11
- Marine Area 12marine area 12
- Marine Area 13marine area 13
Printed in the 2026-2027 Washington Sport Fishing Rules (WDFW pamphlet, in effect July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027), as posted on eRegulations; read October 31, 2026.
Lakes and rivers that set westslope cutthroat trout apart
Look for "cutthroat trout", "other trout" and "trout" in the Special Rules: 311 waters use them.
The westslope cutthroat trout forms WDFW lists
- Cutthroat Trout, WestslopeWDFW listing
WDFW species listings, grouped on one page here.
The biggest Washington westslope cutthroat trout on file
| Listing | Weight | Angler | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cutthroat Trout, Westslope | 4.71 lbs | Angus Kerr | Abernathy Lake, Okanogan County | Oct. 8, 2006 |
WDFW sport fish records, read October 31, 2026; record list.
Washington pages listing westslope cutthroat trout
River pages naming westslope cutthroat trout
- Yakima RiverKittitas County
- Methow RiverOkanogan County
- Wenatchee RiverChelan County
- Snake RiverWhitman County
- American RiverYakima County
- Bumping RiverYakima County
- Chelan RiverChelan County
- Chewuch RiverOkanogan County
- Chiwawa RiverChelan County
- Cle Elum RiverKittitas County
- Cooper RiverKittitas County
- Entiat RiverChelan County
- Kachess RiverKittitas County
- Little Naches RiverYakima County
- Little Pend Oreille RiverStevens County
- Little Wenatchee RiverChelan County
- Lost RiverOkanogan County
- Mad RiverChelan County
WDFW Fish Washington and high lake layer species lists, WDFW SWIFD distribution, record waters and 2026 trout plants; largest waters first.
Washington cousins of westslope cutthroat trout
- Atlantic Salmonfreshwater
- Brown Troutfreshwater
- Bull Troutfreshwater
- Chinook Salmonfreshwater
- Chum Salmonfreshwater
- Coho Salmonfreshwater
- Coastal Cutthroat Troutfreshwater
- Lahontan Cutthroat Troutfreshwater
- Dolly Vardenfreshwater
- Brook Troutfreshwater
- Golden Troutfreshwater
- Lake Troutfreshwater
The shoreline country around Westslope Cutthroat Trout, in pictures
Photo: The Greater Southwestern Exploration Company, CC BY 2.0
Photo: JOHN LLOYD, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: SounderBruce, CC BY-SA 2.0
Evergreen State westslope cutthroat trout, asked and answered
How many westslope cutthroat trout may I keep in Washington?
Statewide: In rivers, streams, and beaver ponds: Min. size 8". Daily limit 2.
From which water did the Washington record westslope cutthroat trout come?
WDFW lists 4.71 lbs, Abernathy Lake, Okanogan County, 2006, Angus Kerr.
What Washington water is a good bet for westslope cutthroat trout?
Start with Yakima River, Methow River and Wenatchee River among 32 pages.
Are westslope cutthroat trout part of the WDFW plants report?
No 2026 WDFW trout plant names it.
Is the westslope cutthroat trout rule the same everywhere in Washington?
It differs on 311 waters with Special Rules.
Is westslope cutthroat trout open all year in Washington?
Season as printed: Sat. before Memorial Day-Oct. 31 (statewide river season, p.23). Emergency rules can change it in season.
Which WDFW license lets me fish for westslope cutthroat trout?
Anglers 16 and older need a Washington Freshwater license ($39.95 resident, $115.85 nonresident for 2026-27) or a Combination license; salmon, steelhead and sturgeon also take a catch record card.
Who keeps the Washington record for westslope cutthroat trout?
WDFW does; marine fish are verified only at the Region 4 or Region 6 offices or Olympia headquarters.
Find westslope cutthroat trout within a drive
Each water listed has a Washington page.