Management and Status of Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout in New Mexico

Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis (RGCT) is the southernmost subspecies of cutthroat trout that historically occupied coldwater systems throughout New Mexico and southern Colorado. Like other cutthroat trout subspecies, RGCT have declined dramatically over the past two centuries. They now occupy only 11 percent of their historic range largely due to the negative impacts associated with non-native salmonid introductions. To address these threats, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish collaborates with state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, universities, tribal entities, and private landowners to improve the conservation status of RGCT. Management activities to achieve this goal include piscicide and post-wildfire restoration, fish barrier construction, fish habitat improvements, broodstock development, and genetic analysis. Nine populations have been restored or discovered since 2008, adding 75 stream miles and increasing their current distribution by 10 percent to a total of 745 occupied stream miles. These collaborations and management successes were a significant factor in the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s recent decision to not list RGCT under the Endangered Species Act.