Species Information

Pictures Courtesy of Joseph Tomelleri

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.

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.

Brown trout are not native to Montana.

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.

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.