Here's some info from a government paper:
Several species of prey
and sport fish are known to hybridize or reproduce with other genetically similar
species. For example, white suckers hybridize with longnose sucker, and lake
whitefish hybridize with cisco. While this is a natural phenomenon occurring
when similar species spawn in the same area at the same time, hybridization
becomes a concern when native fish hybridize with non-native fish, such as
cutthroat trout hybridizing with rainbow trout. These hybrids, called cutbows,
along with all other hybrids, are sterile and use food and space needed by other
fish which can reproduce and help sustain the population. In addition, these
hybrids dilute the gene pool of sport fish native to the watershed.
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