The Utah Cutthroat Slam, a fishing challenge aimed at promoting the conservation of Utah's four native cutthroat trout subspecies, has funded two new conservation projects. The projects were announced during the recent annual Utah Cutthroat Slam meeting and will be carried out by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Trout Unlimited.
Salt Lake City (March 13, 2023) - The Utah Cutthroat Slam, a fishing challenge that aims to promote conservation efforts for Utah's native cutthroat trout species, recently announced the funding of two new conservation projects. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Trout Unlimited, the organizations behind the Utah Cutthroat Slam, selected the projects based on their potential to improve the habitat and population of Utah's native trout.
The first project involves improving Fish Creek, which was heavily impacted by flooding after the 2010 Twitchell Canyon Fire. The project includes planting various plants along the river to help restore vegetation in the area, which will benefit the fish living in the creek. This project will receive $10,000 in funding.
The second project, spearheaded by the Utah Wildlife Federation and local artist Chris Peterson, is the Utah Wildlife Walls mural project. This initiative aims to educate the public about Utah's native wildlife species and conservation efforts by creating a prominent wildlife mural in each county of Utah. The upcoming project will create a mural of a Colorado River cutthroat trout in a community along its native range. This project will receive $6,000 in funding and will be unveiled at an event to celebrate the species and educate the public about this important fish.
"Roughly 50 years ago, there were very few cutthroat trout populations in the state," said Randy Oplinger, DWR Sportfish Coordinator. "We have done a ton of restoration work to bring cutthroat back, and they are now a true conservation success story in Utah. The Utah Cutthroat Slam helps fund projects that continue our restoration of cutthroat trout. Anglers should consider participating in this fun challenge because their registration fee goes directly toward the conservation of cutthroat trout and helps us create better angling opportunities for this important species throughout Utah."
Since its launch in 2016, the Utah Cutthroat Slam has generated over $81,000 for cutthroat trout restoration in Utah, with 1,061 completions of the slam to date. Participants who complete the slam receive a certificate and commemorative medallion. The program has also released a new medallion featuring a Colorado River cutthroat trout when the number of completions reached 1,000 last fall.
"The success of the Utah Cutthroat Slam is truly a testament to the partnership between our organizations," said Nick Gann, Trout Unlimited Southwest Communications Director. "The money generated through this program helps fund important conservation projects that directly benefit native cutthroat trout and promote fishing and conservation."
The Utah Cutthroat Slam encourages anglers to participate in a fun challenge while also supporting the conservation efforts for Utah's native cutthroat trout. To register for the slam or learn more about the program, visit their website or visit their booth at the upcoming Wasatch Intermountain Fly Tying and Fly Fishing Expo from April 14–15 at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy.