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Bield:Fish
Single-region spawn timing

Cutthroat Trout spawn timing in Pacific Northwest.

Oncorhynchus clarkiiLate March – Mid-June

Pacific Northwest cutthroat subspecies (coastal, sea-run) peak March–May.

Calendar & temperature

JanJan — Outside spawn windowFebFeb — Outside spawn windowMarMar — Outside spawn windowAprApr — Outside spawn windowMayMay — Outside spawn windowJunJun — Outside spawn windowJulJul — Outside spawn windowAugAug — Outside spawn windowSepSep — Outside spawn windowOctOct — Outside spawn windowNovNov — Outside spawn windowDecDec — Outside spawn window
Typical window: Late March – Mid-June
32°37°42°47°52°57°62°67°72°77°82°87°Peak 45–50°F
Pre-spawn — best fishingPeak spawn — conservationPost-spawn — recovery feeding·Dashed line = peak spawn boundaries

Phase-by-phase

Pre-Spawn

Trophy fishing window
40–43°F

Cutthroat trout subspecies spawn in spring, with timing varying by elevation and subspecies. Fish stage in deeper pools and below-shoal habitat as runoff begins.

Pre-spawn cutthroat are aggressive on streamers and large nymphs in pre-runoff conditions.

Spawn

Conservation window
43–55°F (peak 45–50°F)

Active spawning behavior. Redd spawners. Native subspecies (Yellowstone, Snake River, Bonneville, Greenback, Colorado River) all have distinct conservation status.

Many cutthroat subspecies are protected by C&R-only or limited harvest regulations year-round. Native cutthroat conservation is one of the most active fisheries restoration efforts in the West.

Conservation context

Many cutthroat subspecies are protected by C&R-only or limited harvest regulations year-round. Native cutthroat conservation is one of the most active fisheries restoration efforts in the West.

Post-Spawn

Recovery feeding
55–63°F (~14 days)

Post-spawn cutthroat recover for 2 weeks before resuming summer feeding patterns at higher elevation lakes and streams.

Dry-fly fishing for high-country cutthroat begins as post-spawn fish disperse to summer haunts.

Summer Pattern

Standard patterns
Above 63°F

Fish disperse to summer habitat and feeding patterns. Spawn cycle complete until following year.

Standard summer fishing tactics apply.

Full Cutthroat Trout spawn guide →Full Pacific Northwest spawn calendar →