Utah Cutthroat Slam Funds Five Conservation Projects for 2026

The angler-funded fishing problem has generated greater than $130,000 for native trout restoration since its 2016 launch, with 95 p.c of each registration price going on to on-the-ground work. Picture by Steve Dally

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Utah Trout Unlimited introduced on February 19 the choice of 5 new native trout tasks to obtain funding from the Utah Cutthroat Slam, a well-liked catch-and-release problem that asks anglers to land all 4 of the state’s native cutthroat trout subspecies—Bonneville, Colorado River, Bear Lake and Yellowstone—of their native ranges. Every mission will obtain roughly $5,000.

Launched in April 2016, the Slam costs a one-time $20 registration price. About $19 of that goes straight to conservation. This system has enrolled 5,885 anglers to this point and raised greater than $130,660 for cutthroat trout restoration and outreach throughout Utah. Of these registrants, 2,110 have accomplished the four-fish problem.

The 2026 Tasks

The 5 funded tasks span habitat restoration, scientific monitoring and public training:

Sevier River watershed eDNA sampling. Biologists will use environmental DNA evaluation on Fish and Clear creeks to find the supply of invasive trout within the center Sevier River watershed. Pinpointing the place non-native fish are getting into the system improves the chances of future cutthroat restoration within the drainage.

Clear Creek beaver relocations. Beavers which were damaging river habitat and backing up water close to bridges and roads in decrease Clear Creek will likely be trapped and moved to the headwaters, the place forage is considerable. Within the higher drainage, beaver exercise can elevate water tables, reconnect floodplains and enhance hall habitat for cutthroat trout.

Silver Creek aquatic sampling. Researchers will survey aquatic insect populations in Silver Creek earlier than and after the elimination of mine tailings within the space. The presence of younger aquatic bugs serves as an indicator of stream well being, and the information will assist decide whether or not the creek can assist further aquatic life as soon as the cleanup is full.

North Eden Creek fish entice operations. A not too long ago accomplished fish-passage mission on North Eden Creek has opened a brand new spawning tributary for Bear Lake cutthroat trout. Funding will assist a Utah Trout Limitless intern to run the entice every day, monitoring fish migration and spawning use of the brand new passage. The mission additionally consists of planting wetland-friendly vegetation and constructing further restoration constructions close to the creek.

Bear River cutthroat signage. New indicators within the Bear River drainage will educate guests about Bear River cutthroat trout and ongoing restoration work within the watershed.

Three Many years of Progress

“Within the final 30 years, we’ve got elevated the vary of every of our native cutthroat trout subspecies, and we’re working to stabilize the species all through the state into the long run,” DWR Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick mentioned in a press release. Hedrick urged anglers to register for the Slam, noting that their charges fund each conservation work and expanded angling alternatives for cutthroat trout statewide.

Utah Trout Limitless Director Jordan Nielson known as the Slam a testomony to the partnership between the 2 organizations. This system continues to develop, he mentioned, producing funding that instantly advantages native cutthroat and promotes each fishing and conservation.

Anglers who full the Slam obtain a certificates and may select considered one of 4 commemorative medallions, every depicting a special cutthroat subspecies. Registration by no means expires—individuals can take a lifetime to complete the problem.

The Utah Cutthroat Slam sales space will likely be on the Wasatch Fly Tying and Fly Fishing Expo on April 10–11 on the Mountain America Expo Heart in Sandy. Anglers can register at utahcutthroatslam.org.