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We describe the historical and current distributions and genetic status of westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisii (WCT) throughout its range in the western United States using data and expert opinion provided by fish managers. Westslope cutthroat trout historically occupied 90,800 km and currently occupy 54,600 km; however, these are probably underestimates due to the large-scale (1:100,000) mapping we used. Genetic analyses found no evidence of genetic introgression in 768 samples (58% of samples tested), but the numbers of individuals tested per sample were variable and sample sites were not randomly selected. Approximately 42% of the stream length occupied by WCT is protected by stringent land use restrictions in national parks (2%), wilderness areas (19%), and roadless areas (21%). A total of 563 WCT populations (39,355 km) are being managed as ''conservation populations,'' and while most (457, or 81%) conservation populations were relatively small, isolated populations, large and interconnected metapopulations occupied much more stream length (34,820 km, or 88%). While conservation populations were distributed throughout the historical range (occupying 67 of 70 historically occupied basins), they were much denser at the core than at the fringes. From the information provided we determined that conserving isolated populations (for their genetic integrity and isolation from nonnative competitors and disease) and metapopulations (for their diverse life histories and resistance to demographic extinction) is reasonable. We conclude that while the distribution of WCT has declined dramatically from historical levels, as a subspecies WCT are not currently at imminent risk of extinction because (1) they are still widely distributed, especially in areas protected by stringent land use restrictions; (2) many populations are isolated by physical barriers from invasion by nonnative fish and disease; and (3) the active conservation of many populations is occurring.

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We sampled 19 isolated headwater populations of westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi in Montana to provide estimates of fecundity, longevity, sex ratio, and age at sexual maturity. Fecundity was estimated for 31 fish collected from two streams in the upper Missouri River drainage. Females smaller than 149 mm fork length (FL) were generally immature and their fecundities could not be estimated. Mean fecundities (SD) were 227 eggs (41.1) for 150-174-mm fish, 346 eggs (85.6) for 175-199-mm fish, and 459 eggs (150.8) for 200-mm and larger fish. A linear regression model (two stream samples combined) to predict fecundity (£) from fork length was developed (E = -494.9 -I-4.4-FL; r 2 = 0.51. P < 0.001) for westslope cutthroat trout in the upper Missouri River drainage. Regression slopes of fecundity against fish length differed significantly (P < 0.01) between these and some of the previously studied populations. Steeper slopes were associated with lacustrine-adfluvial populations. The average sex ratio was 1.3 males per female across all sampled streams. Males began to mature sexually at age 2 and all were mature by age 4. Some females (27%) were sexually mature at age 3 and most of them (93%) were mature by age 5. Length was a better predictor of sexual maturity than age. Males matured at 110-160 mm and females at 150-180 mm FL. The maximum estimated age was 8 years based on otoliths from 475 fish collected from our 19 study streams and 14 additional streams.