Kokanee

Fishing for Kokanee

Kokanee salmon are a popular sport fish found in lakes and reservoirs throughout the western United States and Canada. They are a landlocked variety of sockeye salmon, and they are known for their delicious flesh and their fighting spirit.

Kokanee salmon can be fished for using a variety of methods, including trolling, jigging, and baitcasting. However, the most popular and effective method is trolling.

Trolling for Kokanee

When trolling for kokanee, it is important to use a downrigger to get your lures down to the depth where the fish are feeding. Kokanee salmon are schooling fish, and they can be found at different depths throughout the day. It is important to experiment with different depths until you find where the fish are.

A typical kokanee trolling setup will include a downrigger, a dodger, and a lure. The dodger is used to create flash and vibration that will attract the kokanee. The lure is typically a small spoon or hoochie.

Popular Kokanee Lures

Some popular kokanee lures include:

  • Mack’s Lure Smile Blade Kokanee Hoochie
  • Mack’s Lure Wiggle Hoochie
  • Cripplure
  • Humdinger Spoon
  • Apex Kokanee Killer
  • Mag Tackle Stealth Dodgers

Kokanee Bait

Kokanee salmon are primarily plankton feeders, but they will also eat small fish and insects. When trolling for kokanee, it is often helpful to tip your lures with bait. Popular kokanee bait includes:

  • White shoepeg corn
  • Dyed-cured shrimp
  • Dyed-cured maggots
  • Pink maggots
  • Small pieces of fish

Kokanee Trolling Tips

Here are some kokanee trolling tips:

  • Use a downrigger to get your lures down to the depth where the fish are feeding.
  • Experiment with different depths until you find where the fish are.
  • Use a dodger to create flash and vibration that will attract the kokanee.
  • Troll at a slow speed, typically between 0.9 and 1.5 miles per hour.
  • Tip your lures with bait to increase your chances of getting a bite.

Other Kokanee Fishing Methods

In addition to trolling, kokanee salmon can also be fished for using jigging and baitcasting methods.

Jigging for Kokanee

Jigging for kokanee is a popular method in the spring and early summer when the fish are closer to the surface. To jig for kokanee, use a small jig and tip it with bait. Lower the jig to the bottom and then reel it up slowly, jigging it as you go. When you feel a bite, set the hook.

Baitcasting for Kokanee

Baitcasting for kokanee is a good option when the fish are deeper in the water column. To baitcast for kokanee, use a medium-weight baitcasting rod and reel with a 12-pound test line. Use a small spoon or hoochie as your lure and tip it with bait. Cast your lure out and then reel it in slowly. When you feel a bite, set the hook.

Kokanee Fishing Tips

Here are some general kokanee fishing tips:

  • Kokanee salmon are schooling fish, so look for them in areas where other anglers are catching fish.
  • Kokanee salmon are often found near drop-offs, points, and other structure.
  • Kokane salmon are most active in the morning and evening.
  • Use light-colored lures on sunny days and darker-colored lures on cloudy days.
  • Be patient. Kokane salmon can be finicky feeders, so it may take some time to get a bite.

Kokanee Fishing Regulations

Be sure to check your local fishing regulations before you go kokanee fishing. Kokanee salmon are a regulated species, and there are often specific bag limits and size limits in place.