The Flaming Gorge Kokanee Population Has Been Decimated: I've been reading about conditions on this fantastic Kokanee fishery, where past years would have hundreds or thousands...

woodguru Loc: El Dorado Ca

I've been reading about conditions on this fantastic Kokanee fishery, where past years would have hundreds or thousands schooling at the mouth's of river inlets there are maybe a few fish...Mackinaw on the other hand are what's being caught instead when jigging. It used to be people would release the Macks, now they are saying get them out, they eat way too many Kokes.

Sounds like they need to open up the season on Macks to get as many out as possible.

It used to be a catch and release going for bigger fish, but they are saying catch your limit and be done, releasing Kokes doesn't fare well for them.

DozerDave Loc: Port Orchard Wa.

woodguru wrote:

I've been reading about conditions on this fantast... (show quote)

I have found that, for me anyway, that the survival rate for Kokanee as a “catch and release” is very minimal. The retrieval is very stressful for them. And they are not as hardy as most other fish. Therefore I keep all that I catch, to fulfill my limit…

🐟on

woodguru Loc: El Dorado Ca

DozerDave wrote:

I have found that, for me anyway, that the survival rate for Kokanee as a “catch and release” is very minimal. The retrieval is very stressful for them. And they are not as hardy as most other fish. Therefore I keep all that I catch, to fulfill my limit…

🐟on

Exactly, they have fragile jaws, even the little ones taste fantastic, it's whether you fry up a fish apiece or one that's big enough for both of you. Kokes are pretty much my favorite eating fish, but then there is Crappie and White Bass filets. It's not a fish to release so you can get bigger ones

DozerDave Loc: Port Orchard Wa.

woodguru wrote:

Exactly, they have fragile jaws, even the little ones taste fantastic, it's whether you fry up a fish apiece or one that's big enough for both of you. Kokes are pretty much my favorite eating fish, but then there is Crappie and White Bass filets. It's not a fish to release so you can get bigger ones

Yes, my favorite also. I’m very fond of them smoked. Indian candy. I’ll founder on it at times…

🐟on

Graywulff Loc: Cortez,Co.

woodguru wrote:

I've been reading about conditions on this fantast... (show quote)

Lake Trout are voracious eaters which is why they get so big. They have had a real bad effect on the cutthroat population in Yellowstone Lake too. Kokanee only love for 3 years then they spawn and die so theLakers could do real harm to a large population real fast.

woodguru Loc: El Dorado Ca

Graywulff wrote:

Lake Trout are voracious eaters which is why they get so big. They have had a real bad effect on the cutthroat population in Yellowstone Lake too. Kokanee only love for 3 years then they spawn and die so theLakers could do real harm to a large population real fast.

The funny thing is Kokanee started out being planted to act as feed for Macks and other large trout in many reservoirs...then they took on their own fishing appeal

Graywulff Loc: Cortez,Co.

woodguru wrote:

The funny thing is Kokanee started out being planted to act as feed for Macks and other large trout in many reservoirs...then they took on their own fishing appeal

I never knew that. They are sure good food and not the easiest things to catch.

ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.

DozerDave wrote:

I have found that, for me anyway, that the survival rate for Kokanee as a “catch and release” is very minimal. The retrieval is very stressful for them. And they are not as hardy as most other fish. Therefore I keep all that I catch, to fulfill my limit…

🐟on

I do the same thing, also with trout they just don't do good with C and R. Maybe fly fishing with small hooks but I don't do that

DozerDave Loc: Port Orchard Wa.

ranger632 wrote:

I do the same thing, also with trout they just don't do good with C and R. Maybe fly fishing with small hooks but I don't do that

Exactly, when I fish, I fish with the intent to consume what I catch. So I won’t modify my presentation to increase the survival rate of a C and R fish. I’m satisfied with whatever I catch, regardless of the size. With Kokanee, there is no size restrictions. Just a limit requirement…

🐟on

ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.

DozerDave wrote:

Exactly, when I fish, I fish with the intent to consume what I catch. So I won’t modify my presentation to increase the survival rate of a C and R fish. I’m satisfied with whatever I catch, regardless of the size. With Kokanee, there is no size restrictions. Just a limit requirement…

🐟on

Same here

Paul Sidener Loc: Casper, Wyoming

DozerDave wrote:

Exactly, when I fish, I fish with the intent to consume what I catch. So I won’t modify my presentation to increase the survival rate of a C and R fish. I’m satisfied with whatever I catch, regardless of the size. With Kokanee, there is no size restrictions. Just a limit requirement…

🐟on

That’s funny, on the Dream Stream section of the South Platte you can’t keep them. They must be returned to the water right away. I get the fact that they are spawning, but you are allowed to fish to them.

Graywulff Loc: Cortez,Co.

Paul Sidener wrote:

That’s funny, on the Dream Stream section of the South Platte you can’t keep them. They must be returned to the water right away. I get the fact that they are spawning, but you are allowed to fish to them.

That is interesting. Here the spawn is not successful in regenerating the fish so they net the spawners, milk them, give the fish away, and take the spawn to a hatchery.

DozerDave Loc: Port Orchard Wa.

Paul Sidener wrote:

That’s funny, on the Dream Stream section of the South Platte you can’t keep them. They must be returned to the water right away. I get the fact that they are spawning, but you are allowed to fish to them.

I just find that the survival rate of returning them to the water is very, very low. Maybe 1 in 10. Even when you try to do it immediately after catching them. So I’m curious how you guys are being able to do that. I’d like to return the younger ones…

🐟on

Paul Sidener Loc: Casper, Wyoming

DozerDave wrote:

I just find that the survival rate of returning them to the water is very, very low. Maybe 1 in 10. Even when you try to do it immediately after catching them. So I’m curious how you guys are being able to do that. I’d like to return the younger ones…

🐟on

I’m not sure on the mortality rate. It been two years since I’ve fished there. They stand out like a sore thumb, being red like they are. I am usually targeting browns, if I catch one it’s by accident. They will probably be dead in a week, they really don’t eat much when they are spawning, but will strike anything red. I just don’t find it enjoyable targeting them. The Dream Stream section is only about 5 miles of water, and the water is pretty cold then. It’s a good place to fish, if you don’t mind combat fishing. I live in Casper less than a mile from the North Platte, which doesn’t get anywhere near the crowds. So I tend to fish closer to home. Personally I think the fishing can be better here than in Colorado. But you have to know where you are because of the trespassing laws.