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Hybrids are the offspring of introduced trout species mating with native trout species. Only the cutbow (rainbow x cutthroat) is fairly numerous in Montana, although the Bull trout x Brook trout hybrid numbers now dominate pure Bull trout numbers in places like Glacier National Park and other drainages within the Flathead River watershed. An unfortunate aspect of hybridization is that the offspring may not display any outward appearance of it. This is especially troubling with regard to cutthroat populations.
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Species Information
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Illustrations Courtesy of Joseph Tomelleri |
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Splake Trout - (Brook and Lake Trout)
This is the hybrid of lake trout and brook trout. It is not known to what extent lake trout genes in Montana reflect this interbreeding.
Lake trout are not native to Montana, except in a couple of high mountain lakes.
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Tiger Trout - (Brown and Brook Trout)
This is the hybrid of brown trout and brook trout. It is not known to what extent brown trout genes in Montana reflect this interbreeding, and tiger trout are rarely seen.
Neither Brown trout or Brook trout are native to Montana.
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"Cutbow" Trout - (Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout)
This is the hybrid of native cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. It is thought that most populations of cutthroat trout in Montana have genes that reflect this interbreeding.
Rainbow trout readily interbreed with both westlope and Yellowstone cutthroats, and the offspring of these fish also interbreed with both each other and genetically pure individuals of all three species.
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Bull Trout x Brook Trout
This is the hybrid of bull trout and brook trout. interbreeding between these two species is likely one of the principal reasons for Bull trout declines in some areas.
Brook trout are not native to Montana, but were enthusiastically stocked in most waters of the state by well-meaning fishery managers.
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Species information courtesy of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
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Montana's Wild Trout