10-17-2012, 11:10 AM
Can you tell whether this is a greenback? Photo courtesy of 'TRCP's Native Trout Adventures.'
The greenback cutthroat trout, Colorado's state fish, can be found only in a 4-mile span of Bear Creek, located southwest of Colorado Springs.
A recent study conducted by the University of Colorado delved into the genetics of the greenback cutthroat trout and found that many were mistaking the Colorado River cutthroat, Rio Grande cutthroat and others for the greenback.
The U.S. Forest Service is currently exploring options to conserve the greenback and creek upon which the fish depends. Meanwhile, TRCP partner Trout Unlimited is working to address trail impacts the Bear Creek area.
For any anglers out there thinking they caught a greenback only to learn later that they were mistaken, the TRCP feels your pain. Last summer, we shot an episode of "TRCP's Native Trout Adventures" in which we mistakenly thought we were fishing for - and catching - greenback cutthroat trout in Pike National Forest near South Park, Colo.
The greenback cutthroat trout, Colorado's state fish, can be found only in a 4-mile span of Bear Creek, located southwest of Colorado Springs.
A recent study conducted by the University of Colorado delved into the genetics of the greenback cutthroat trout and found that many were mistaking the Colorado River cutthroat, Rio Grande cutthroat and others for the greenback.
The U.S. Forest Service is currently exploring options to conserve the greenback and creek upon which the fish depends. Meanwhile, TRCP partner Trout Unlimited is working to address trail impacts the Bear Creek area.
For any anglers out there thinking they caught a greenback only to learn later that they were mistaken, the TRCP feels your pain. Last summer, we shot an episode of "TRCP's Native Trout Adventures" in which we mistakenly thought we were fishing for - and catching - greenback cutthroat trout in Pike National Forest near South Park, Colo.