Utah officials are preparing to use helicopters to restock Colorado River cutthroat trout into remote sections of the High Uintas this summer, following chemical treatments to remove invasive species. The project, part of a long-term effort to restore native populations, follows decades of work to combat the decline of Utah's only native trout species.
Helicopter Restocking Strategy
The restocking efforts, scheduled for July or August 2026, will target the upper areas of Sheep and Carter creeks on the north slope, as well as the Oweep and Fall creek drainages on the south slope. According to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the use of helicopters is necessary because fixed-wing aircraft are not accurate enough for stocking streams. The helicopter method allows for higher density transport and less handling of the fish, which is considered a key component for successful restoration.
Eradicating Invasive Species
The restocking follows the application of rotenone, a chemical used to eradicate nonnative fish that compete with, hybridize with, or prey upon native cutthroat trout. In the Fall Creek drainage, a second year of fish eradication took place from August 10 through August 13, 2026. Because the Fall Creek project area is located 13 to 16 miles into the High Uinta Wilderness from the Stillwater Reservoir Trailhead, biologists utilized horse outfitters to transport equipment, gear, and personnel into the remote terrain.
Threats to Native Populations
The push for restoration stems from a significant decline in native populations. By the 1970s, only a handful of identified cutthroat populations remained in Utah, leading to concerns that the species could be listed under the Endangered Species Act. Randy Oplinger, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Assistant Aquatic Section Chief, noted that nonnative species like brown, brook, and rainbow trout compete for food and habitat, and rainbow trout can breed with cutthroats, reducing their genetic integrity.
Conservation and Economic Goals
To prevent federal listing and the resulting potential impacts on Utah's economy and private property rights, the Division of Wildlife Resources is working toward long-term conservation. Coldwater Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick stated that while sportfish stocking will continue, the agency hopes to complete restoration for conservation purposes within 10 years for the Colorado River cutthroat subspecies.
Partnerships and Funding
The restoration efforts are supported by several partners, including the United States Forest Service and Trout Unlimited. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources currently produces approximately two million cutthroats annually, stocking them into 300 water bodies across the state. These efforts are bolstered by Sport Fish Restoration funds, which are generated through federal excise taxes on fishing tackle and motorboat fuel.
Future Management Goals
The restoration projects aim to provide sustainable recreational opportunities for anglers while preserving Utah's unique aquatic ecology. While the Division of Wildlife Resources intends to restore conservation populations, they noted that nonnative trout populations will likely still exceed native populations once all planned restoration efforts are complete.
