As mentioned before, these fish have a high mortality rate when caught and released. Odell Lake not only is one of the best kokanee fishing lakes in Oregon, it is a natural gem to behold high on the east slope of the Cascade Range, just east of Willamette Pass off Highway 58. The lake was formed by the largest concrete structure in the world, the Grand Coulee Dam, primarily for the purpose of power production. A Kokanee’s size depends on genetics but they are also density dependent, which means their size can be contingent on how many other Kokanee are within the lake competing for food. See more ideas about Lake stevens, Puget sound, Hot spot. Lake Roosevelt is known for large Kokanee and trout. On Lake Roosevelt the source of food for the kokanee is in the top of the water column and you will often be fishing no deeper than 15 feet. Lake Roosevelt is known for record size Kokanee and Trout throughout the winter months. They are fun to fish for, and very tasty to eat. Fishing the right depth is the key to catching kokanee in Merwin. Survival of these small fish is not great. Their diet can change throughout the year based upon food availability. Kinney Lake has been fishing well for fish to 18 inches with reports of very high catch rates through the fall, and good catch rates are expected to continue once ice is safe to fish through. Kokanee Fishing Tackle and Lures . There is no need to put the boat away for the winter. But times are a changing, and Kokanee fishing is following suite. Kokanee are also prey for other predator fish such as Rainbow Trout and Char. The food source for kokanee on Lake Chelan is deep and it is not unusual to keep your baits below 100 feet to get to the fish. Each year, it seems like one body of water rises to the top as the best kokanee fishery in Northern California. That is why you see most of boats using side planers. Now let’s talk tackle. Spring is not the only time you have a chance at these fish. Kokanee are one fish that more people "thinning the herd" means better quality fish so most kokanee fishermen are happy to share information to help other fishermen. I guide Walleye in the Columbia River and Lake Roosevelt during the winter months. The summer Kokanee salmon season on Whiskeytown Lake is now in full swing and good numbers of 15”-17” Kokanee are being caught by our fishing guides almost daily. Kokanee are a land locked sockeye salmon. The lake is also planted with 3 million kokanee fry in June of each year. Angles can keep only two Lake Roosevelt kokanee with intact adipose fins. This helps attract the fish, making the curious and hopefully, on your line. Thanks to the cooperative net pen project on Lake Roosevelt, one to four million fry/fingerling Kokanee Salmon and 750,000 catchable Rainbow Trout … There's a golden rule in fishing that many kokanee guides follow: Don't leave fish to find fish. The new and improved tactics of the best Kokanee guides in the northwest have finally been revealed. Located in northeastern Washington and named after Franklin D. Roosevelt, Roosevelt Lake is one of the largest lakes in the state of Washington. Kokanee: Part-Time: 01/08: 18 ... Mike is new to walleye fishing so we did our best to impart some of the TTPs we use ... Lake Roosevelt proved to be a wonderful host to my guests once again. Typically, the less Kokanee in a healthy lake the bigger the Kokanee will be. Lake Berryessa held the title for a number of years, only to be knocked off by the drought and the sudden resurgence of Whiskeytown Lake. Book an epic Kokanee trip with Cameron Black!Spring-Time KokaneeIf you’re looking to catch Kokanee spring is the time to start. Spring is be the most productive time to pull out these fun and very tasty fish in both Merwin and Yale. I fish at the top end of a Lake & tides are read from the bottom of the Lake. That said, kokanee will feed all day long and will prefer water temperatures in the 44° to 59° degrees, with 54° degrees being ideal. It is open to fishing year-round. Until the ice is off the lakes and the walleye start there pre-spawn staging. This short film highlights the winter trout fishery at Lake Roosevelt, which is supported by an annual planting of 750,000 Rainbow Trout. Lake Roosevelt Rainbow Trout & Kokanee Fishing. The first thing you are going to need is an attractor, something to draw the Kokanee in, and a size 4/0 dodger is my go-to. The best time of day to catch kokanee for most of the year is the early morning and late afternoon. They have done an excellent job of protecting and enhancing the Roosevelt Reservoir fishery. Kokanee live in a lakes most of their lives, doing best in well oxygenated, open waters that don’t exceed 60 degrees. 18 inch koks are the average and 3 to 4 pounders are a daily occurrence. 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