Abstract
Native subspecies of cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki have declined drastically because of the introduction of nonnative salmonids, overharvesting, and habitat degradation. Conservation of most declining subspecies will include establishing new populations through translocation of genetically pure fish. Recovery of greenback cutthroat trout O. clarki stomias has been ongoing for 25 years, so the attempted translocations of this subspecies provide unique empirical information to guide recovery of other nonanadromous salmonids. We compared 14 translocations that successfully established populations of greenback cutthroat trout to 23 that failed to determine the factors that influenced translocation success. Of the translocations that failed, 48% were reinvaded by nonnative salmonids, 43% apparently had unsuitable habitat, and 9% experienced suppression by other factors. Reinvasion occurred most often because of failed artificial barriers or incomplete removal of nonnative salmonids in complex habitats. Of those areas that were not reinvaded, success was highest in receiving waters with at least 2 ha of habitat that had previously supported reproducing trout populations.
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