Where to Catch Kokanee Salmon in Colorado

Kokanee salmon fishing is a popular activity for anglers in Colorado. These landlocked sockeye salmon provide exciting action during their annual spawning runs With proper timing and location, hooking into a hard-fighting kokanee is an amazing experience. This article will guide you on the best places and techniques for catching kokanee salmon in Colorado.

Understanding Kokanee Salmon

Kokanee salmon are the landlocked version of sockeye salmon. They live their entire life cycle in freshwater lakes, traveling upstream into tributaries and creeks to spawn. Kokanee average 10-18 inches long and 1-3 pounds.

While not as large as their seagoing cousins, kokanee make up for size with their fighting spirit. When hooked, they perform acrobatic jumps and make powerful runs. Their bright red bodies and green heads during the spawn add stunning color to the fight.

Kokanee spawn from mid-August through December in Colorado. They cease feeding once they enter spawning streams. As spawning wraps up, the salmon quickly die off.

Where to Find Kokanee Salmon in Colorado

The Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocks over 30 million kokanee salmon fry annually into reservoirs and lakes statewide. This provides anglers with plenty of spots to target these hard-fighting fish. The top destinations include:

Blue Mesa Reservoir

Blue Mesa Reservoir in Gunnison County offers some of Colorado’s best kokanee fishing. Anglers can catch fish averaging 15 inches long from shore or boat. The salmon run up the Lake Fork and Gunnison Rivers that feed the reservoir.

The peak action occurs from mid-September through October Both snagging and fly fishing methods produce steady catches during the spawn, The daily limit is 10 kokanee salmon,

Williams Fork Reservoir

Williams Fork Reservoir near Kremmling has a strong kokanee population. These salmon average 12-14 inches long. Williams Fork Creek and the reservoir inlet provide access to spawning fish in September and October.

Shore fishing is available, but a boat allows reaching more spots. Trolling small spinners is effective. The limit is 10 salmon daily.

Lake Dillon

Lake Dillon near Silverthorne contains a good number of 10-15 inch kokanee. They run up Dillon Creek and into Straight Creek starting in late August. Float tubing, boats, or shore fishing can intercept salmon in the creek mouths.

Small jigs, spinners, and flies work well. The salmon here are smaller than Blue Mesa, but provide plenty of fun action. Anglers may keep up to 5 fish per day.

Green Mountain Reservoir

This reservoir north of Silverthorne has kokanee, including some larger, 17-20 inch fish. They spawn in the Blue River above the lake starting in September. Shore fishing access allows snagging salmon in the river mouth.

Trolling wedding rings or casting small lures also tempts aggressive spawning fish. Green Mountain has a 10 fish daily limit.

Ruedi Reservoir

Near Aspen, Ruedi Reservoir has good numbers of 12-15 inch kokanee salmon. They run up the Frying Pan River starting in September. Wade fishing the river mouth or nearby shoreline provides a chance to hook salmon.

Small spinners, jigs, and flies work well here. Focus on deeper pools and runs where salmon hold before moving upstream. Anglers may keep 10 kokanee per day.

Best Techniques for Catching Kokanee Salmon

Kokanee salmon follow predictable spawning patterns in Colorado’s lakes and reservoirs. Understanding their behavior helps anglers select the best techniques to target them:

Trolling

Trolling with wedding rings, small spinners, or artificial flies covers water to find roaming schools of kokanee. Lead core line helps get lures down over 20 feet deep. Slow trolling near creek mouths intercepts incoming spawners.

Jigging

Once you locate fish, vertical jigging with tubes, grubs, or spoon lures tempts aggressive strikes. Drop shot rigs work well for this approach. Vary jigging rhythm to trigger reaction bites.

Casting Spinners

Casting small spinners, spoons, or crankbaits to shallow shorelines and creek mouths draws reaction strikes. Bright fluorescent colors work best in stained water during the spawn.

Snagging

Snagging kokanee with large treble hooks is permitted in certain waters during the spawn. This targets salmon in shallow riffles and runs. Quickly sweep hooks through holding spots to impale fish.

While not sporting, snagging allows easy limits of salmon. Meat from spawned-out fish is still excellent to eat when fresh.

Fly Fishing

Small streamers, egg patterns, and flesh flies tempt kokanee when cast near spawning sites. Sinking lines help get flies down to holding depths. Stripping retrieves trigger aggressive reaction bites.

Tips and Tactics

When salmon move into spawning areas, they focus on reproduction instead of feeding. Remember these key tips for tempting kokanee during the spawn:

• Fish creek mouths, shallow shorelines, riffles, and tailouts where salmon hold and stage before moving upstream.

• Use bright colors and erratic retrieves to trigger reaction bites.

• Fish early mornings and late evenings when salmon are most active.

• Downsize tackle to light line (4-10 lb. test) and small lures.

• Watch your fish finder for schooling salmon. They move into staging areas together.

Regulations for Harvesting Kokanee

Several regulations apply to retaining kokanee salmon in Colorado:

• Daily limits range from 5-10 fish depending on water. Consult the current Colorado fishing brochure.

• Snagging is permitted only during certain time periods on selected waters.

• Kokanee are very fragile once spawned out. Keep only bright, fresh fish for eating.

• Filleting salmon at lakeshores is prohibited. Clean them at home.

Following the regulations ensures healthy kokanee fisheries for the future.

Experience Hard-Fighting Kokanee Salmon

The annual kokanee salmon runs in Colorado provide a unique fishery that attracts anglers statewide. These feisty landlocked salmon fight incredibly hard for their size and are excellent table fare. Using the tips in this article will help you discover some fast and furious kokanee action during the fall spawning season. Hooking one of these hard-charging fish will give your a fishing thrill you’ll never forget!