The Utah Cutthroat Slam, a unique fishing challenge aimed at restoring native cutthroat trout in the state, recently celebrated a significant achievement: raising over $100,000 for conservation efforts. This milestone marks a major success for the program, which was launched in 2016 by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Utah Trout Unlimited.

The Utah Cutthroat Slam invites anglers to catch all four subspecies of Utah’s native cutthroat trout within their historic ranges. The $20 registration fee for the challenge is directly funneled into conservation projects dedicated to protecting and restoring these native trout populations.

“When we launched the program in 2016, the main goal was to educate the public about Utah’s only native trout and the historic ranges they inhabited,” said Brett Prettyman, program director for Utah Trout Unlimited. He added, “Reaching this milestone of $100,000 raised is truly icing on the cake for us.”

Since its inception, the slam has been completed 1,464 times, with 162 of those completions happening this year alone. Notably, 142 anglers have completed the slam more than once, reflecting the program’s growing popularity and success.

“We are so grateful to the many anglers who participate and help fund cutthroat trout restoration in Utah,” said DWR Sportfish Coordinator Trina Hedrick. She emphasized that these projects are crucial for restoring native trout and would not be possible without the support from the anglers and partnering organizations.

The funds raised have supported 25 projects across the state, with 16 already completed. Notable projects include the Lower Beaver River improvements, Clear Creek flood mitigation, and the Chalk Creek Bonneville cutthroat trout telemetry study. These projects have focused on habitat restoration, flood prevention, and understanding trout migration patterns to better manage these native species.

For those interested in joining the effort, more information about the Utah Cutthroat Slam and registration details can be found on the official website.