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Kokanee Salmon

Kokanee Salmon

Kokanee are the landlocked form of Sockeye Salmon that were first introduced to California waters in 1941 to provide a sport fish suitable for reservoirs with water level fluctuations.

These chrome beauties typically complete their life cycle in California reservoirs over 2-3 years, though some older fish reach 4+ years.

Scientific Name: Oncorhynchus nerka

Physical Characteristics:

Distinguished from other salmon by their long, serrated gill rakers (30-40 in number) and lack of spots on their tail or back.

During their silver phase, they're blue-tinged with silver coloration, but turn brilliant red with green heads during spawning season in fall.

Significantly smaller than their ocean-going cousins, typically averaging 9-12 inches and about 1 pound, though trophy fish in productive waters can reach 17-20 inches.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

Distributed across 22 major reservoirs from the Central Valley to the Eastern Sierra. CDFW plants approximately 750,000 fingerlings annually in 15 reservoirs, while seven others maintain self-sustaining populations through natural reproduction in tributaries.

Key Locations

Lake Tahoe, New Melones, Stampede Reservoir, Bullards Bar, Shaver Lake, Don Pedro, Lake Berryessa, Whiskeytown Lake, Eastern Sierra lakes like Twin Lakes

Specific Spots

Target the thermocline (typically 20-40 feet) where zooplankton concentrate, early spring shallow water during chironomid and mayfly hatches, deeper water in late summer following the thermocline

Kokanee Salmon FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Kokanee Salmon in California?

Pink and orange hoochies (P-Line, Goldstar, or Paulina Peak brands), small spoons, Wedding Rings, Brad's Kokanee Cut Plugs, and Apex high-action trolling lures. Corn is critical bait - use only white shoepeg varieties like Del Monte or Jolly Green Giant, often scented with anise, krill oil, garlic salt, or tuna oil.

When is the best time to fish for Kokanee Salmon in California?

Kokanee fishing begins in spring (May) with peak action during summer months through August when fish reach their largest sizes. Early spring offers unique opportunities to fish shallow water. Late summer (August) finds fish deeper following the thermocline.

How do you catch Kokanee Salmon in California?

Trolling with downriggers at speeds between 0.8-1.5 mph, early spring shallow water fishing with floating fly lines and strike indicators targeting chironomid and mayfly hatches, late summer requires faster presentations with high-action lures, focus on replicating successful presentations exactly - specifics like...

What do Kokanee Salmon eat?

Primarily planktivores, feeding almost exclusively on zooplankton like Daphnia (water fleas), copepods, and cladocerans. During early spring, they'll also take advantage of chironomid and mayfly hatches in shallow water.

Where do Kokanee Salmon live in California?

Distributed across 22 major reservoirs from the Central Valley to the Eastern Sierra. CDFW plants approximately 750,000 fingerlings annually in 15 reservoirs, while seven others maintain self-sustaining populations through natural reproduction in tributaries.

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