A flasher unit will pinpoint the level at which kokanee are suspended, thereby allowing you to get your lure to the right depth without guesswork. A little over a week ago, i saw my first kokanee salmon run up little bear river just east of porcupine reservoir. Map of lake sammamish, tributary streams and ebright creek the kokanee cam is located in ebright creek. Viewing opportunities are available at the strawberry visitors center via the discovery trail a long boardwalk that follows the river. In 1934, ernest hemingway caught a record size468poundblue marlin. It was restocked into strawberry after the 1990 treatment. The worlds largest recorded kokanee salmon was caught, smoked and eaten before anyone realized what a prize fish it was. Bill brush of nevada city was fishing on lake tahoe july 20 when he reeled in a 5 pound, 2 ounce kokanee salmon a fish that has the potential to shatter a 40yearold state record by 5 ounces. Kokanees have been a part of utah s fishery management program for many years now. I have however eaten enough kokanee to know they are super good eating and want to learn to catch them. Salmon fishing with downriggers is my favorite way to fish, watch as we do some. September 9, 2011 september 17, 2011 sept 9, friday, day 1, home to klamath falls, or via i5, us97. Kokanee salmon were brought from washington into utah in 1923 and planted in bear lake and then into strawberry in 1937.
Jun 19, 2010 the kokanee caught on june, 2010, at wallowa lake, oregon is the new igfa alltackle world record, 9 lb 10 oz. New york, montana, north dakota, california, wyoming, utah, colorado, and nevada. Oct 09, 2017 utahs colorful kokanee salmon are at the very peak of their upstream migration. Spawning kokanee salmon in a river kokanee salmon spawning. Kokanee fishing is a big thing in california, and many of californias lakes hold big populations of kokanee, some selfsustaining, but most that require raising and planting by the dfw, many of them with help from project kokanee and kokanee power. My area of expertise is really in northern california. Kokanee salmon is simply the name for a pacific sockeye salmon when it is landlocked. Their exact origin is unknown, but they have supported fisheries of varying importance for more than fifty years in connecticut. Jul 11, 2016 the california department of fish and wildlife cdfw has recently completed the release of the 2016 allotment of kokanee salmon fingerlings. Each year in the beginning of september the strawberry river turns bright red with spawning kokanee salmon. I need to get back to work as this fish has consumed most of my time since june. Kokanee range, a subrange of the selkirk mountains in british columbia, canada. The kokanee salmon did not reproduce sufficiently to sustain a continuing fishery, and stockings have been discontinued. The kokanee salmon oncorhynchus nerka, also known as the kokanee trout, little redfish, silver trout, kikanning, kennerlys salmon, kennerlys trout, or walla, is the nonanadromous form of the sockeye salmon meaning that they do not migrate to the sea, instead living out their entire lives in freshwater.
The bass were planted in the weber river and utah lake. The kokanee in fish lake twin creeks tributary are now spawning. Distribution the kokanee is found over most of the range of the sockeye salmon which extends in north america from the klamath river in california to point hope, alaska. John, government relations administrator, dnrp water policy unit. Four months after landing a monster kokanee, ron campbell has landed in the world record book twice. Oct 07, 2008 a little over a week ago, i saw my first kokanee salmon run up little bear river just east of porcupine reservoir. Although i am a rookie when it comes to targeting kokanee salmon, i was fortunate enough to be invited on a fishing trip by shawn lindsey who is an experienced pro and we had great day out on the water catching these beautiful fish. As the day gets brighter they will go deeper and the kokanee will follow. There is some debate as to whether the kokanee and its seagoing relative are. This program produces kokanee that are released in their home streams or the lake in the spring or fall.
Kokanee tackle including all of the lures and gear needed to catch kokanee. The kokanee salmon was brought to utah from washington in 1922 and introduced into bear lake. Sep 30, 2016 a big kokanee generally measures about 18 inches, although state recordholder lee cox managed to snag a 7pound, 5ounce kokanee measuring 27 inches at blue mesa in 2002. In all the great lake trout fisheries across the west there is one common denominator. Some of these fish will be taken to the issaquah salmon hatchery as part of a program initiated in 2007 by the lake sammamish kokanee work group.
Kokanee landlocked sockeye salmon are the only salmon species found in utah, and are found in deep water reservoirs such as flaming gorge, strawberry. Kokanee is a word from the okanagan language referring to landlocked lake populations of sockeye salmon oncorhynchus nerka. Largest kokanee on earth caught in castlegar destination. Kokanee can achieve sizes of 3 to 5 pounds but 1pounders are most common. Kokanee and sockeye salmon british columbia travel. The closure is meant to protect spawning kokanee salmon and will. The kokanee salmon is actually a dwarf landlocked form of the sockeye salmon. Attempts to plant the smallmouth happened between 1912 and 1914. The nearest locations to target this species from my home state of ma that i know of are in ct, ny and nc. Sep 15, 2016 each year in the beginning of september the strawberry river turns bright red with spawning kokanee salmon. The kokanee occurs naturally in japan, ussr, alaska, yukon territory, british columbia, washington, idaho and oregon but they are more widely found and abundant in british. We carry the most popular rods, reels, lures and terminal tackle for kokanee fishing.
Lake trout, brown trouth, white sucker, and kokanee salmon. Kokanee salmon spawn strawberry river utah youtube. Best lakes to catch kokanee, fishing for kokanee, kokanee. Id start with any of our central california lakes that have kokanee salmon populations. Kokanee salmon with a hook record fishing magazines. Official utah state fishing records utah fishing info. We encourage you to check out his website, for plenty of tips on how to catch kokanee. The kokanee is the landlocked version of the sockeye salmon. Its kokanee salmon population draws fishermen from across the country, and the rainbow trout and smallmouth bass.
Stop by the new boardwalk near the lodge and see the feisty fish bite and jostle as they embark on the most important and final. Which is understandable since there are so few fisheries for them here. This year, researchers counted over 10,000 fish within a mile of the reservoir. Species of concern lake sammamish kokanee the lake sammamish kokanee occurs in king county, washington.
The kokanee caught on june, 2010, at wallowa lake, oregon is the new igfa alltackle world record, 9 lb 10 oz. They keep taking away our spring salmon seasons in the. Earlier this month, sidney cellan of soda springs, idaho set the new catchandrelease record for lake trout in utah when he landed a 47inch, 57pound lake trout after a 30minute fight. Sockeye and kokanee salmon spawn in freshwater, then move to a. The biggest known kokanee salmon to be caught in utah was caught at strawberry reservoir in 1995 and has become a state record. Vibrantly colored salmon crowding into streams and leaping up waterfalls may sound out of place in an arid climate, but kokanee salmon are well established in utah. Lake tahoe carson city county, nevada lahontan cutthroat oncorhynchus clarkii henshawi. The change will also protect salmon that spawn early in the fall and those that spawn later. Adult kokanee pair returning to spawn in ebright creek.
Female kokanee turn a lighter red in color and retain a body shape similar to a trout, while the male develops a large hooked snout with many irregular teeth, a hump back and a musky green head. Kokanee oncorhynchus nerka ecology and life history the kokanee is a member of the salmonidae family and is different from other salmon because the juvenile stages typically rear in lakes rather than streams similar to sockeye roberge et al. Our aquatics biologist estimates another two or three weeks to see the fish spawn in. Massive lake trout smashes the catch and release record at flaming. Kokanee are caught throughout the year, with june being the most productive month. Kokanee salmon are a landlocked variety of sockeye salmon. Art and karen pearce, owners of kokanee creek tackle have been fishing in the rocky mountains for salmon, trout and other species since childhood. Record kokanee at wallowa lake comes with a down side. The kokanee evolved in inland lakes and never make it to the open ocean in their lifecycle. Most anglers in the northeast have never heard of kokanee salmon. After moving to utah, their fishing has expanded to include wyoming and colorado.
Jul 29, 20 this pin was discovered by outdoors unlimited media. Let me be the first to welcome you to the latest holy moly outdoors adventure as we traveled to a bucket list destination spot. Utah s strawberry reservoir, in the uinta national forest east of provo, was planted with kokanee. Massive lake trout smashes the catch and release record at. I was reading the dnr page for record size catch and types and it said the state record kokanee salmon was caught in the clinton river in oakland co. Keep in mind, for all fishing spots there are detailed lists of rules and regulations for catching fish of all kinds. The kokanee salmon oncorhynchus nerka, also known as the kokanee trout, little redfish.
A paper chart recorder unit such as the x15 model will provide the above advantages plus give you a permanent record for future reference. Fill out the fish record form 25 kb and send it to. How to catch kokanee salmon in strawberry reservoir utah. A landlocked species of sockeye salmon is the kokanee salmon, and its very popular in colorado where it is stocked in some high numbers. Kokanee contains everything you need to fish for kokanee.
Oct 05, 2015 salt lake city if you enjoy fishing for kokanee salmon in utah, a change in 2016 will make it easier to know when you can and cant keep salmon, no matter which water youre fishing in the state. Utah s colorful kokanee salmon are at the very peak of their upstream migration. Kokanee are a landlocked form of the larger, sockeye salmon that return from the pacific ocean to spawn in west coast rivers. State record fish wyoming game and fish department. Kokanee stock photos download 144 royalty free photos. Kokanee fishing forums welcome to kokanee fishing forum.
Kokanee salmon swimming upstream to spawn in tahoe the kokanee is the landlocked version of the sockeye salmon. Largemouth bass came into utah in 1890, along with a mixed load of perch, crappie and sunfish. Strawberry reservoir is one of the premiere trout fisheries in the state of utah and has some of the best kokanee salmon fishing. It is, however, a true member of the salmon family. With kokanee, however, its less about the size of the fish in the fight than the size of the fight in the fish, particularly in the fall. Kokanee salmon oncorhynchus nerka are landlocked sockeye salmon and occur in japan, russia, british columbia, and the yukon. Kokanee are landlocked relatives of the sockeye salmon of the pacific coast, and they are just as exciting to catch as their saltwater kin. This month the results of that test finally came in and sure enough denis woodcox has the distinction of catching the largest kokanee on earthin castlegar. May 02, 2008 fortunately, kokanee salmon run in large schools, so they are pretty easy to locate with electronics. The pendleton angler, who took a 9pound 10ounce kokanee salmon at. Dude catches massive 57pound lake trout in utah, a new catch. The basics of kokanee fishing the author, danny coyne, is a macks lure pro staffer located in british columbia.
Ca state record kokanee, nv state record kokanee, lake tahoe. Because he ate it, however, the 12pound fish cannot be counted as a world record. Flaming gorge reservoir the gorge is a favorite spot for many utah anglers. Dude catches massive 57pound lake trout in utah, a new. Heres a list of waters where you can find it image right. Kokanee salmon swim upstream from causey reservoir to spawn on thursday, sept. Flaming gorge and strawberry are our major kokanee waters but the fish are also found in several smaller reservoirs including causey, porcupine and moon lake. Kokanee fingerlings released into california lakes and. Many states in the usa stock kokanee salmon in stocked lakes because they survive well in those conditions. These west coast salmon are of the genus oncorhynchus, as is the rainbow. Yearning to find the gravel bar in which they were born, these fish follow their noses. Each fall the fish turns a vivid pinkish red before broadcasting their eggs along the creek.
If youre not a fan of fishing for salmon, think about this. Fish on the meter when youre on an unfamiliar body of water, start your search in the main body of the lake out over the river channel. The fish is so massive that 57pound trout looks like it swallowed a tiny human being. Depending on the kokanee strain they can live between 4 to 7 years. Trouts and salmons pennsylvania fish and boat commission. California holds the world record for alabama bass out of new bullards bar reservoir yuba county. Check the list of record fish to see if your fish might be a contender. Kokanee have blue backs and silver sides and unlike other salmon and trout, except chum salmon, sockeye and kokanee. Utah fishing records is extensive and changes multiple times.
Government biologists recently confirmed dna testing that shows the 5. Kokanee were first introduced into montana in flathead lake in 1914 and are currently fairly widespread in the western half of the state on both sides of the divide. Kokanee sockeye salmon oncorhynchus nerka utah fish. Lake roosevelt where the state record kokanee salmon resides. The kokanee, a nonmigratory form of the sockeye salmon, was introduced into a few lakes in northeastern pennsylvania, most notably upper woods pond. Kokanee at times will also feed on other forage such as small insects, larvae, plants and sometimes shrimp.
Holy moly outdoors teamed up with velocity fishing international to take an epic trip to flaming gorge for some monster kokanee salmon fishing. I have now read most of this book and think it is what need. You can view the complete list of utahs catchandrelease records here. Desert creek lyon county, nevada black crappie pomoxis nigromaculatus. Growing up in montana allowed them the opportunity to fish idaho, washington, oregon and california. You can view the complete list of utah s catchandrelease records here. Read inside for a rundown on the best and the worst of californias kokanee lakes for 2017. I am a beginner kokanee angler and have heard they are not the easiest fish to catch and land. For the smell of that gravel birthplaceand the surrounding streamis imprinted in young kokanee brains. This years allotment included 634,430 kokanee released into lakes and reservoirs throughout the state. Kokanee salmon every time a state record lake trout has been caught since the 90s in colorado the lake that produced that fish had ample supplies of kokanee. Kokanee oncorhynchus nerka ecology and life history.
Utah division of wildlife resources kokanee salmon. Mark moncriefjerry logosz, a former joseph resident who retired to arizona, caught a state record kokanee at wallowa lake on july 19. We have great prices and selection, and if we dont have it we will get it. Moon lake and strawberry reservoir, which currently boasts the state record. Starting sunday, september 10, utah anglers may not possess kokanee salmon statewide. For more information about the kokanee cam, please contact david st. The management at strawberry reservoir also stocks the kokanee salmon annually to help keep their numbers growing. Kokanee are landlocked relatives of the sockeye salmon of the pacific coast.
Species, year, weight, length, girth, angler, location, photo. Kokanee fun to catch, and they taste great, too the. Kokanee salmon oncorhynchus nerka utah fishing info. Isolated on white background kokanee salmon spawning. For awhile, it seemed like new bullards bar would kick out a new world record bass every season. Kokanee can be one of the most difficult and elusive fish species to catch in utah, but are a beautiful fish to catch and are very tasty to eat.
Ski run the 40yearold california and nevada state record for kokanee salmon was broken this past saturday at lake tahoe. Fish and wildlife service received a petition to list all wild, indigenous, naturallyspawned kokanee, oncorhynchus nerka, in lake sammamish, king county, washington, as a threatened or endangered. Where to catch kokanee salmon in utah outdoor troop. Lake roosevelt where the state record kokanee salmon. The utah record kokanee went six pounds, zero ounces and was caught in strawberry in 1995. It is also a worldclass fishery for bear lake cutthroat trout. Fishing montanas waters is enjoyed by many, but only a few anglers catch a record fish.
358 1278 533 1391 1088 1334 280 469 1375 992 1469 1184 338 613 1130 1471 847 173 343 1120 511 27 1092 47 1087 448 155 1347 172 81 522 923 340 1336 450 888 862 1157 469