The Yellowstone cutthroat trout is the only native trout species in the Big Horn Basin, but habitat loss and activities such as the introduction of nonnative species have resulted in decreases from their historical range.

According to Wyoming Game and Fish Department Fisheries Management Biologist Joe Skorupski, Yellowstone cutthroat trout that are not genetically altered by nonnative trout currently occupy only 17% of their historical habitat, and are thus classified as a species of greatest conservation need in the state of Wyoming.

Skorupski is the speaker at the next Draper Natural History Museum Lunchtime Expedition lecture, which takes place in the Buffalo Bill Center of the West’s Coe Auditorium on Thursday, April 6 at noon. The free talk is titled “Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout: History, Management, and Future Conservation Efforts in the Big Horn Basin.”

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department makes a concerted effort to protect, enhance, and restore populations of Yellowstone cutthroat trout. In 2021, a new Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Conservation Plan was finalized with a high level of public involvement. Skorupski’s presentation explores the history of Yellowstone cutthroat trout conservation up to this point, and future planned conservation efforts to manage the species in the Big Horn Basin.

Those who prefer to attend virtually via Zoom webinar may do so by registering at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_K9dFVt46S0mFKn_HakbTeQ.

Trout Unlimited has generously donated 100 “Get to Know Your Native Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout” posters, which will be distributed free to in-person lecture attendees on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Draper Museum’s Lunchtime Expedition lecture series has been made possible through support from Sage Creek Ranch and the Nancy-Carroll Draper Charitable Foundation. 

Skorupski has been a fisheries management biologist in the Cody Region of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for the past seven years. Before transferring to Cody, he worked for two years in the Green River Region in the same capacity, and for three years as an endangered fish biologist for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Skorupski earned his BS degree from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania. While earning his MS degree from the University of North Texas, he worked in Yellowstone National Park on a project related to the restoration and conservation of Westslope cutthroat trout.