In waters with restrictions on cutthroat trout, is a rainbow/cutthroat hybrid considered a cutthroat? Specificly the Portneuf River.

In the Portneuf River, no harvest of cutthroat is allowed. Rainbow cutthroat hybrids are often difficult to distinguish from either a rainbow trout or cutthroat trout.  To be on the safe-side, if it has an orange slash under the jaw, regardless of other markings, release the fish. In the Panhandle Region where hybridization between rainbow and cutthroat is also a problem, our rules now say, "Trout limit is 6, no harvest of any trout with a red or orange slash below jaw."