By Bobby Loomis
The thrill of kokanee fishing has exploded over the past two decades, and it continues to grow in popularity with no signs of slowing down.
Kokanee salmon, a landlocked variant of sockeye salmon, were experimentally introduced into several lakes and reservoirs in western North America in the mid-1940s. These early introductions quickly blossomed into a thriving sport fishery in the West before spreading to numerous states across the U.S. The excitement of this fishery, along with the annual restocking and introduction of kokanee to new waters throughout the country, has produced an increasing demand for tips and tactics for pursuing these sporty and tasty fish.
As a company with close relationships with pro-anglers around the country, it's no surprise that products for catchimg kokanee have worked their way into the capable hands that guide product innovation at Mack's Lure.
The driving force behind Mack's Lure has always been to help anglers catch more and better fish, and to that end, every product sold was first devised by for purpose and tested extensively in the field before ever hanging from a peg.
To be consistently successful, kokanee anglers often want to be able to tailor their presentations to match the conditions they are fishing.
It is common for serious kokanee anglers to keep a variety of components on hand in order to experiment with colors, spin, flash, and vibration. A rarity in the tackle industry, Mack's Lure offers a full line of its components for customizing lures (or for inventing new ones). This has created a loyal following among kokanee enthusiasts and has led to Mack's Lure being known as a kokanee tackle company, which we love to hear.
Successful land-locked salmon fishing is an art that requires a deep understanding of kokanee habits, preferences for specific water temperatures, and their life cycle. Here are some tips and tactics specific to fishing kokanee, including advice on tackle, choosing effective lure colors, mimicking food sources, and helpful advice for catching kokanee in popular fisheries around the U.S., including in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and more.
Kokanee, also known as silver trout, bluebacks, sockeye, and silversides, and have life cycles spanning two to seven years, depending on the subspecies. Most kokanee salmon reach adulthood in four years, similar to their cousins, the mighty saltwater salmon. Landlocked salmon are late summer or fall spawners, at which time they choose tributaries, outlet areas, or gravels around the shoreline of a lake to complete their life cycle.
The growth and size of kokanee in a particular body of water will significantly depend on plankton availability and the number of other fish competing for this resource. Plankton is their primary food source; however, they will occasionally feed on insect larvae or nymphs as well. Adult kokanee typically range in size from 8 to 20 inches, with most in the 9- to 14-inch class. Larger lakes and reservoirs with smaller concentrations of kokanee produce the largest fish, some reaching 3 to 4 pounds. A record 9 pound plus kokanee was caught using Mack's Lure, and its fully owned subsidiary, Shasta Tackle products.
Kokanee have excellent vision, which plays a crucial role in their feeding behavior. Their eyes are adapted to detect specific wavelengths of light, making certain colors more attractive to them. The most effective colors for kokanee presentations are:
- Pink
- Orange
- Red
- Chartreuse
- Fluorescent shades
- UV
Anglers targeting kokanee swear by these colors since mimicking the natural hues of plankton and other food sources is a tried-and-true strategy for attracting strikes. Experienced anglers start the day by experimenting with several presentations until they find a color the kokanee are hitting. Conditions often change as the day progresses, so the experimentation process resumes when the bite slows.
Matching the hot color is an art that takes skill and patience because the color the kokanee are tuned into can change from one hour to the next based on water clarity, water depth, time of year, and other factors. To gain clues, kokanee fisherman will even open a fish to see the specific color of prey the fish are feeding on and then match their beads and blades to the color and movement characteristics of the prey they find.
Kokanee primarily feed on zooplankton, a microscopic organism found in lakes and reservoirs. They use their fine gill rakers to filter these tiny creatures from the water. In addition to zooplankton, kokanee may also consume small insects, insect larvae, and occasionally small fish. However, their preference for plankton means that lures and baits mimicking this food source are most effective.
To increase your chances of success, you need the right tackle. Here are some recommendations:
Rods and Reels: Use light to medium-light spinning or trolling rods with sensitive tips to detect the delicate bites of kokanee. Pair them with reels that have a smooth drag system and can hold at least 150 yards of line.
Lines: Opt for 4 to 8-pound test monofilament or fluorocarbon lines. These lines are less visible in the water and have the right balance of strength and sensitivity.
Lures: Effective kokanee lures will have a double hook setup. Top producing lures such as the Cha Cha 1.5" Kokanee, Smile Blade Kokanee Hoochie, Kokanee Killer Single, Kokanee Killer Treble, Double Whammy Kokanee Pro, Double Whammy Mini Kokanee Pro, and Koke-A-Nut, were designed specifically for kokanee fishing.
PRO TIP: Salmon, as a species, is a very scent oriented creature as opposed to being mostly color and vision oriented. Use your scent attractors to help bring the fish into fishing range. Then concentrate on colors with scent attractors and movement to trigger the salmon's hard-wired instinct to bite. Kokanee anglers want to maximize their leverage by using action, color, and scent together effecively. Pairing your lure presentation with a scent system like the ScentFlash UV Paddle Flashers and ScentFlash UV Triangle Flashers will help give you the best results.
Baits: Tipping your lures with natural baits like maggots, white or yellow kernels of corn, or small pieces of worm can enhance their attractiveness. Some old-timers advise adding a strand of white or red yarn to the hook for added appeal.
Trolling is the most consistently productive technique for catching kokanee, allowing you to cover large water areas quickly and locate schools of fish efficiently. Here are some detailed trolling methods:
Flatlining: Flatlining involves trolling a small lure or lure tipped with bait in the top 10 feet of water without any or with very little weight. This technique is particularly effective in spring and fall when kokanee are near the surface. Use a 4 to 8-pound test mainline, let out behind the boat, and troll close to the surface. Adding one or two split shots 36 inches up the line from the lure can enhance this technique.
Lake Trolls - Lake trolls, such as the Flash Lite, consisting of a series of flashing blades, are highly effective for kokanee in medium to deep water or on overcast days. Small trolls can be flatlined, while larger models are geared for deeper running. Rigging a Mack's Lure product with a series of blades creates visual and sound attractors that kokanee follow, leading them to the trailing lure.
Leaded Lines and Sinking Fly Lines - Leaded lines and sinking fly lines are essential for reaching kokanee in deeper water during the summer. Lead core line is color-coded in 25 or 30-foot sections, allowing you to gauge depth based on the number of colors let out. A typical setup involves a 25-foot section of 4 to 6-pound test monofilament leader. Sinking fly lines, particularly 15 and 30-foot sink tip models, are also effective for trolling at medium depths.
Additional Trolling Tips - Troll Slowly: Kokanee are more likely to strike slow-moving lures. Ensure your trolling speed is slow enough to maintain the correct lure action. Many expert trollers use oars instead of motors to achieve the desired speed.
Depth Sounders - A quality depth sounder, such as those made by Lowrance, is crucial for pinpointing the depth at which kokanee are suspended. This allows you to position your lure accurately without guesswork.
Work in S Curves - Trolling in S patterns rather than straight lines creates variations in lure speed and depth, enticing kokanee to strike. This technique simulates the erratic movement of prey, making your lure more attractive.
Sharpen Hooks - Keep your hooks razor-sharp to ensure successful hook-sets. Use a hook sharpener to maintain a needle-sharp point and knife-like cutting edge. Dont't forget to keep your hook sharpener well-oiled so it doesn't rust.
California - California boasts several excellent kokanee fisheries, including Lake Shasta, Whiskeytown Lake, and New Melones Reservoir. These waters are stocked regularly, providing ample opportunities for kokanee anglers. Pay attention to local stocking schedules and fishing reports to maximize your chances of success.
Oregon - Oregon is home to some of the best kokanee fishing in the Pacific Northwest. Notable fisheries include Odell Lake, Detroit Lake, and Wallowa Lake. These lakes offer abundant kokanee populations, with some fish reaching trophy sizes. Utilize the recommended trolling techniques and colors to target kokanee effectively.
Washington - Washington State offers a variety of kokanee fishing opportunities in lakes such as Lake Chelan, Lake Roosevelt, and Merwin Reservoir. These fisheries are known for their healthy kokanee populations and consistent fishing action. Pay attention to seasonal patterns and water temperatures to locate kokanee schools.
Great Lakes - The Great Lakes region, particularly Lake Ontario and Lake Michigan have had sucessful introductions of coho salmon, and this has become a very sucessful fishery in that region. While coho fishing in these waters may differ slightly from western lakes, similar trolling techniques and tackle can be effective. Focus on finding schools of coho salmon near thermoclines and baitfish concentrations.
Idaho - Dworshak Reservoir, Lucky Peak Reservoir, and Anderson Ranch Reservoir are top kokanee destinations in Idaho. These waters offer excellent fishing opportunities, with kokanee often found at various depths throughout the year.
Montana - Flathead Lake, Lake Koocanusa, and Georgetown Lake are renowned for their kokanee populations. These fisheries provide a scenic backdrop for kokanee fishing adventures.
Colorado - Blue Mesa Reservoir, Eleven Mile Reservoir, and Green Mountain Reservoir are prime kokanee fisheries in Colorado. These lakes offer consistent action, particularly during the summer months.
Jigging for Kokanee - In addition to trolling, jigging can be an effective technique for targeting kokanee, especially when they are concentrated in deeper water. Use light to medium-light spinning rods with sensitive tips and 4 to 6-pound test lines. Effective jigs include small spoons, tube jigs, and soft plastic grubs. Drop the jig to the desired depth and impart a subtle jigging motion to entice kokanee.
Downrigger Fishing - Downriggers are invaluable tools for precise depth control when targeting kokanee in deeper water. Attach your lure to a release clip on the downrigger cable and set the desired depth. As you troll, the downrigger weight keeps your lure at the specified depth, increasing your chances of encountering kokanee schools.
Using Electronics - Advanced fish finders with GPS and sonar capabilities can significantly enhance your kokanee fishing experience. Look for models that allow you to mark fish, record waypoints, and track your trolling patterns. These features help you identify productive areas and replicate successful fishing routes year-after-year.
Understanding seasonal patterns is crucial for consistent kokanee success. In the spring, kokanee are often found near the surface, making flatlining and shallow trolling effective. As summer progresses, they move deeper, necessitating the use of leaded lines, downriggers, and sinking fly lines. In the fall, kokanee return to shallower water for spawning, providing excellent opportunities for jigging and shallow trolling.
Kokanee fishing is a rewarding and challenging pursuit that requires a deep understanding of their behavior, preferences, and habitat. You can significantly improve your chances of success by mastering the techniques outlined in this guide and utilizing the right tackle, colors, and baits. Whether you're fishing in California, Oregon, Washington, the Great Lakes, or other popular kokanee fisheries, these tips will help you become a more effective kokanee angler.
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