Lahontan cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki henshawi) is the largest cutthroat trout subspecies, and the state fish of Nevada. It is native to the drainages of the Truckee River, Humboldt River, Carson River, Walker River, Quinn River and several smaller rivers in the Great Basin of North America. Irrigation developments along these rivers have severely disrupted its habitat. It was classified as an endangered species between 1970 and 1975, and is currently listed as a threatened species.
Pyramid Lake, famous for its Lahontan cutthroat trout (LCT) fishery, is located about 35 miles northeast of Reno on the Pyramid Lake Paiute Indian Reservation. Pyramid Lake covers approximately 112,000 acres on land and is 350 feet at its deepest point. Pyramid is a "high desert" lake (elevation 3,817 feet), and after travelling through the desert to its end, the water is about 1/6 as salty as sea water.
Pyramid Lake contains two fish species on the federal threatened & endangered species list: the Lahontan Cutthroad Trout, and the ancient Cui-ui. The lake is flanked on the east and west by rugged mountain ranges, and around the lake shore there are many large "tufa" rock formations (formed by calcium carbonate deposits).
The Tribe's interesting wildlife website is accessible at:
http://www.plpt.nsn.us/wildlife/index.html
