Due to these introductions, many populations of cutthroat trout are at risk of genetic pollution.

As a result, significant management intervention at state and federal levels has occurred to preserve native populations of cutthroat trout.

[5][6][7] Like most fish hybrids, cutbow are difficult to identify based on external characteristics alone.

[3] Subsequently, many anglers confuse cutbow with rainbow or cutthroat trout.

Cutbow have reddish or orange slash markings under the jaw like cutthroat trout.