
Photo by Public domain (iNaturalist) on iNaturalist · CC0 (public domain)
Kokanee
Oncorhynchus nerka
- When
- May–Sep — May, June, July, August, September. Earlier in the south, later in the north.
- Where it holds
- Deep, cold interior lakes in BC, the Rockies and the Northwest.
- How to know it
- A landlocked sockeye: bright silver in summer, turning brilliant red with a green head to spawn.
- What to know
- Plankton feeders that hit out of aggression, not hunger. Superb smoked.
- The tactic
- Trolled dodger and a small pink hoochie, slow, at the depth the sonar marks them.
Seasons, size limits and catch limits change every year and differ by water body. Check the current regulations for your province or state before you fish.
Found in these regions
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Also active in September
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