Kokanee are most readily available to anglers during spawn, which occurs from early August through late December. Click here to read Chancy’s Northwest Montana Fishing Report. Early season Kokanee fishing provides an excellent opportunity for anglers that don’t have downriggers on their boats to effectively target these fish. However, by following some of these early spring kokanee fishing tactics it will help you get more Kokanee into your boat! Boasting 11 miles of public access, the Taylor River is a tailwater that flows out of Taylor Reservoir, down Taylor Canyon and eventually into the Gunnison. Since the Kokanee are seeking warmer water temperatures they will be residing near the surface as this is the first part of the lake to warm up. Some days will be much easier than others but keep applying these basic methods and you will have consistent results. Last winter the fishing was great near Spring Canyon. By checking out the lake you are planning on fishing and looking for flats or tributaries, you’ll set yourself up with a productive “GAME PLAN” instead of trying to attacking the whole lake blind. Ok here is my tip for fishing more rods effectively and catching the Kokanee running in the top 15 feet of the water column. Colour and size patterns of your terminal tackle can also play an important role in helping to increase the odds into your favour. Fishing begins after the impoundment has filled and warmed a bit, typically in May. Green Peter 04/19/13 & 04/21/13, Mid-Willamete Valley Anglers Club 03/12/2019 7:00pm – 9:00pm, Central Oregon Sportsmen’s Show February 28th – March 3rd. I’ll be posting a video of this technique in April showing exactly how to do this. Trolling for Kokanee. I stacked two rods on each downrigger which is very hard to do early or later in the season unless you’re using the right gear. The Gunny, as it is known locally, has a reputation among Colorado natives as the scene of some of the best river and lake fishing to be found anywhere in the state. Kokanee fishing has certainly gained popularity in recent years and for good reason. If you have downriggers on your boat they can still be used by targeting the upper 25 feet of the water column. Were self-sustaining populations exist they run up streams or rivers after 2-4 years in open waters. By far the most effective way to target this fish is by trolling. The Kokanee need to find your presentation and the way they do that is by feel, smell and sight. If you tried this without a Mack’s Lure dodger you would have the biggest mess behind our boat stacking two rods that far back and that close together. First off you have to anticipate that targeting Kokanee in early spring can mean a lot slower action than the regular season as the fish are just coming out of their semi-dormancy mode. Being limited on space, he makes full use of Scotty Fishing Products downriggers, rod holders and other Scotty accessories to be effective and efficient while on the water. Start with a longer leader and then progressively shorten it until you find the right action that entices the Kokanee to attack your gear. When trolling and trying to mark fish on your sonar, you may have a difficult time as the fish are in the highest section of the water column, making the ” sonar cone” from your fish finder hard to pick up. Anderson has always been my hot spot. Prized for their fighting ability and great table fare, kokanee salmon’s popularity continues to grow across the West. … 28, 2017 at 11:59 a.m. On the other side of the road, the trail heads straight through the forest. Recreation Map & Guide; Boat Launch Lake Levels; Boat Launch Permit; Current Fishing Trends; Lakeside Directory; Fishing & Hunting; Points of Interest; Fish Advisory; Fishing Regulations; Frequently Asked Questions; Links; Environment. I used this technique in November at Green Peter when all the fish I caught were picked up in the top 10 feet of the water column using my downriggers. Kokanee are very temperature sensitive and they prefer water temps between 48F-54F, with optimum range being between 53-54 degrees. Early in the spring before the … Most of the early spring kokanee fishing will be in the top 15 feet of the water column, and they will be congregating in tributaries of the lakes or in area’s that will warm up first, like the shallows. Derek and Kurt visiting Grand Coulee Dam . Kokanee (Landlocked Sockeye) Salmon are the only salmon species found in Utah, and are found in deep water reservoirs such as Flaming Gorge, Strawberry Reservoir, East Canyon and Porcupine Reservoir. Kokanee & Sockeye – Catch & Release or Keep? A good way to take a look at different lakes and areas to fish is with a “Smart Phone” or I-Pad. Females build redds on gravel bars, with both sexes defending the nest. While kokanee are often known as “silvers”, “silver trout” “bluebacks” or “sockeyes” depending upon the region, most people think of them as a trout. Kokanee are land locked Sockeye Salmon that make their living eating zoo plankton, this is important because their food source will determine where you find them. If the water starts to become clouded from the run off or lake turn over, switch to darker colours such as blues and purples and increase the size of your lures. Spring is be the most productive time to pull out these fun and very tasty fish in both Merwin and Yale. This place has a fishing limit of 25, which is much larger than any other place on this list. Kokanee Creek Canyon in the spring. The “Navionics App” can not only be used while on the water, but even at the house or AT WORK. Sign up for our quarterly email newsletter! Early spring Kokanee fishing is a great way to get out on the water for the first time of the year. I’m going to give you a few tips that will help you fish more rods on your boat effectively and give you some tips & tricks on attacking spring kokanee. Box 4586 Fish were still feeding on the surface. Water temps were in the mid-50's and air temps not much warmer. The Fougere Family started kokanee fishing with two fishing rods and a rental boat. Remember to troll slow and look for areas of your lake that are getting full sun which will in turn have a warmer surface temperature. Due to the narrowness of the canyon, the views of the spring runoff are spectacular. Such a strange Juneuary we are having. Personally, I’ve caught more kokanee at Anderson than I have at Lucky Peak, Arrowrock, and everywhere else combined. 5 Tactics to Catch More Kokanee this Spring, A Community Coming Together for Kokanee Conservation, Our Wild Neighbours – Part 2 | Fish & Mammals | South Chilcotin, BC, Best Ice Fishing Lures For Trout - 7 Of The Deadliest Trout Lures -, Ice Fishing for Rainbow Trout Using Weed Lines, Top 5 Tactics for Trolling Rainbow Trout in Dirty Water - BC Fishn, TIPS – HOW TO RECOGNIZE MATURE (SOON-TO-SPAWN) FEMALE TROUT, Kokanee Fishing The BC Cariboo - Bridge & Deka Lake. Serving military members, families, and Christian groups from around the world as a vacation retreat and conference center since 1962. In the waters of the Gunnison River you’ll find record size brown and rainbow trout and even Kokanee salmon. Due to the cooler water temperatures you will find the Kokanee holding in areas of the lake that you normally wouldn’t during the regular season (May to July); such as shallow areas where the water warms up much faster than the middle of the lake. Utah Fish Species - Utah Fishing Info - Utah Fishing Info. Stay up to date with Specials, Events and News. Tips for fishing kokanee salmon in spring, summer By Brad Kerr, KSL.com Contributor | Posted - Apr. P.O. Trollers on Lake Roosevelt are taking kokanee between 3-5 pounds from the Spring Canyon and Keller areas. Kokanee fishing can sometimes be challenging but once you get your presentation just right to the conditions you will have a lot of fun bringing them into the boat. The fish from Bitterroot Lake are running 14-16 inches and Lake Mary Ronan salmon are in the 11-12 inch size. When it comes to Kokanee fishing what is worked one day doesn’t mean it will work the next! Spring Kokanee Fishing. Kokanee are the type of fish that get bigger when there is a smaller population in any given area. This technique if very effective and very easy to do and trust me it works GREAT. Showcasing Fisheries from BC and the Pacific Northwest, SHOWCASING FISHERIES FROMBC AND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. Trolling also allows you to cover a large amount of water in a short period of time. I fished kokanee today out of Spring Canyon on Lake Roosevelt in North East Washington. You can check out different lakes you’re wanting to fish and make a game plan before heading out on the water. First off you have to anticipate that targeting Kokanee in early spring can mean a lot slower action than the regular season as the fish are just coming out of their semi-dormancy mode. In the spring period I prefer to troll a minimum of 75 feet out as the terminal tackle is being presented not that deep from the boat. Anglers can leave the ramp, pass through the buoys, and turn down lake toward the dam. “Facing The Back Of My Boat”  I would run my second rod 75 feet behind my boat attached it to the downrigger and run it down until my line touched the water. Winter fishing, when a deep lake "Turns Over" meaning the cooler water now is on top, and the warmer water is on the lower part, fishing for Kokanee will change to fishing near the surface. Kokanee Salmon Fishing at Eleven Mile Although the present run of Kokanee salmon into the South Platte River from Elevenmile Reservoir is much smaller than the run on the Gunnison River, it appears to be gaining momentum. A good tip is that once you catch your first Kokanee check it’s stomach contents to find out what they are eating. I’m going to give you a few tips that will help you fish more rods on your boat effectively and give you some tips & tricks on attacking spring kokanee. Lake Roosevelt is on top side of Dam and Spring Canyon in distance. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. our fishing trip in May 2016. Spring Canyon Lake ... News; Links; Recreation. In fact, I have caught more Kokanee on the Taylor River than all the other rivers in this article combined. Where to Find Kokanee. Kokanee are planted here too, and also spawn naturally in the lake. A staple food in a Kokanee’s diet is Zooplankton, however in lakes that had ice over the kokanee will turn to aggressively foraging on a variety of larvae and bugs found on the shallow areas as the lake turns over. I was sitting here looking at all the post about Kokanee fishing and there is a lot of groups out there for people to join and they talk a lot about fishing in other sates so I figure why not try to make one for here in Idaho. Also an excellent fishing area. By doing this your top rod will be running 3 feet under the water surface and your bottom rod will be running 7 feet under the water surface. The kokanee fishing has really picked up on a couple of lakes in Montana. The ice fishing season is coming to an end and for most of us Kokanee fanatics we are itching to get the boat out onto the water to chase down some chrome beauties! I ran my bottom rod back 100 feet behind my boat with an “Arrow Flash Dodger” (check out the large variety here on my website),  I then attached it to my downrigger and dropped it 4 feet down. So the Long “Wait” of winter is almost over and spring kokanee fishing will be in full swing very shortly. Some of the most popular Kokanee fly fishing destinations in Colorado include the Gunnison River, … Kokanee fishing is a lot of fun as it offers a challenge each time you head out onto the water. Successfully fly fishing for Kokanee means anglers must accurately time the spawning run which can vary widely from one reservoir to the next. One of the best areas last winter was right off the steep, rocky shore. These areas of the lake will have more kokanee because they hold a more abundant food source early in the season. Spring is not the only time you have a chance at these fish. Kokanee fishing here is very similar to that in Kachess. In the summer the larger trout go deeper and will require down riggers to reach them. In order to effectively target any species of fish it is helpful to understand their biology in relation to their behavior. In the heat of summer, this is always a pleasant shaded trail with the cool creek running alongside. If they are feeding in on Zooplankton (the stomach contents will be more green sludge) then you will know that you can target the Koks out in deeper water. In Lakes with Dams, the area toward the Dam are the last to warm up and I would avoid fishing that area of the lake all together until later in the season. Lake Mary Ronan and Bitterroot Lake along with Lake Koocanusa are producing limits of kokanee salmon. By far, the most successful method of catching kokanee is trolling. In the spring months I also increase my leader lengths more than I do in the regular season so that the lure’s action is slowed down behind the Dodger. The darker and larger presentations will help the contrast of  your presentation to stand out for the fish to locate it. Kingfisher Island A large Island created by Flaming Gorge Res … Once you have 100 feet of water under your hull you can start trolling. Once … By fishing the higher elevations lakes later in the season you’ll have the ability to catch chrome bright kokanee late in the season while the lower elevation kokanee are gearing up for the spawn and or already in full swing of the spawn. If they are feeding on larvae and bugs you will know to keep near the shallows (less than 50ft) and use baits such as pink maggots. Retrace a few steps back from the Canyon Lookout to get onto a trail that crosses the gravel of Kokanee Glacier Road. Then I rig my second rod up with a Mack’s Lure Double D Dodger (also sold on my website) and used hole #4 on the Right hand side of my boat and hole #1 on the Left hand side of my boat. https://www.fishingduo.com/6-best-lakes-for-big-kokanee-in-washington-state I tie up new Kokanee lures, re-spool my fishing reels with fresh monofilament and stock up on scents and white shoepeg corn for bait. Historic Busk Estate. Fishing reports for northwest lakes, rivers and saltwater areas. Canyon Trail follows the east side of Kokanee Creek, passes through mature cedar/ hemlock trees and leads you to a set of stairs and terraced viewing platform overlooking a canyon. When I […] For over 75 years, OCF has been blessed to strengthen faith, equip families, and serve those who serve. Another thing to keep in mind is the elevation of the lake you are planning on fishing; I prefer to start fishing lakes with a lower elevation early in the season and save the higher elevation lakes for later in the season. For more information on choosing leader lengths check out our article and video: Leader Lengths for Kokanee Fishing. Kokanee Fishing. Okanogan County For me the Kokanee season starts a couple weeks before open water. This is why Kokanee tend to hang out in the lake thermocline as it provides the optimum water temperature. Green Peter 11/10/12 All fish caught in the top 10 feet of the water column. You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. Target areas of the lake that get the most sun exposure throughout the day. Adding Pro-Cure scents such as shrimp, garlic or krill to your bait will also help the fish track down your lure and encourage them to bite. Anglers can leave the ramp, pass through the buoys, and turn down lake toward the dam. The important thing is to get out and give Kokanee fishing a try, experiment with new methods and most of all have fun! The months of May, June, and July are also good for trolling or still-fishing for Osoyoos kokanee, most of which range from 10 to 14 inches. Last winter the fishing was great near Spring Canyon. Again, because the fish are coming out of their semi-dormancy mode they aren’t as aggressive. IDAHO KOKANEE FISHING has 3,365 members. Mailing: In most lakes and reservoirs, they’re trout sized, say a foot to a foot-and-a-half in length. Trolling speeds between .8mph to 1.2mh tend to produce the best. These silver fish with black spots on the upper half of their bodies can be found swimming in compact schools feeding on zooplankton, a food source unaffected by the drawing down of reservoirs. It is a beautiful stretch of water, full of big trout and plentiful Kokanee. Book an epic Kokanee trip with Cameron Black!Spring-Time KokaneeIf you’re looking to catch Kokanee spring is the time to start. To explain this, fresh water becomes more and more dense as it’s temperature … Once the ice comes off the lake starts to turn over and the thermocline is slowly established. Now they fish for kokanee out of a 14ft Lund (which is starting to get small for his growing family). Zoo plankton live at the thermocline, a layer in the water column that maintains a constant temperature of around 54 degrees Fahrenheit. It doesn’t hurt that they are down right delicious too! That trend includes Idaho, and for good reason: Fish and Game manages quality kokanee fisheries around the state, including in a trio of destinations – the kokanee "silver triangle" – that are a short drive from Idaho’s largest population center. Best trout fishing in Osoyoos Lake is in early spring or fall. Pay close attention to your thermometer on your sonar and track down the warmest areas. Kokanee are very temperature sensitive and they prefer water temps … So the Long “Wait” of winter is almost over and spring kokanee fishing will be in full swing very shortly. Canyon Trail follows the east side of Kokanee Creek, passes through mature cedar/hemlock trees and leads you to a set of stairs and terraced viewing platform overlooking a canyon. The key to trolling during early spring is to slow everything down! Pound for pound, they are some of the hardest fighting fish in freshwater. Fly fishing can be successful in the spring while Kokanee are cruising the shorelines, but majority of the open water season trolling is the most productive approach. Were stocked, they return to their release point. In the early spring the water temperature hasn’t warmed up enough to establish a “comfort zone” for the fish. Jarvies Spring A notable area of Flaming Gorge with a spring, canyon and boat camp. Filed Under: Feature, Kokanee Tagged With: bc fishn, dodger, how to fish Kokanee, kokanee fishing, Kokanee tips, Lake Chelan, Mack'sLures, monte lake, Stump Lake, tackle for Kokanee, trolling for kokanee, wedding ring fishing, Wood Lake. Fish are more “robust” here compared to Kachess and are mostly 9 or 10 inches, with some larger. Due to the narrowness of the canyon, the views of the spring runoff are spectacular. Make sure you have a variety of colours, sizes and types of lures within your arsenal as the bite can change from one lure or colour to another multiple times throughout the day. But kokanee are landlocked sockeye salmon. One can have good success by long lining a presentation such as the Mack’s Lure Flashlight Troll and Double Whammy Wedding Ring just below the surface with a small amount of weight. Kokanee (land-locked Pacific sockeye salmon) are suited to the large, fluctuating mountain reservoirs of Colorado. The action here begins in October and continues into November. ... Had to go back for some more monster Kokanee action. Salem, Oregon 97302, Let the 2013 Kokanee season begin!! Posted on Mar 16 by kokaneekid. For more information about Kokanee fishing please comment below and don’t forget to share your Kokanee fishing pictures o the BC Fishn Facebook Page. Air temps not much warmer out different lakes and reservoirs, they are eating green Peter 11/10/12 fish! 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